Dominica is set to finally establish the world’s first Sperm Whale Reserve just in time for the 2024-2025 tourist season. During his presentation of the 2024-2025 National Budget on Friday, Minister for Finance Dr. Irving McIntyre shared that, following stakeholders’ consultations, drafted legislation is expected to be presented in parliament by October 2024. The legislation will facilitate the establishment of a Sperm Whale office, a new licencing regime and a detailed Sperm Whale management plan.
He further revealed that the Sperm Whale Reserve launched in November 2023, is expected to cover an area of approximately 923.3 square kilometres rather than the 788 square kilometres previously announced by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Climate Resilience Execution Agency of Dominica (CREAD) Francine Baron. It should extend from just underneath the Portsmouth area to the southern region of the island. A corridor spanning approximately three
nautical miles for large vessels and cargo ships also features the reserve’s design.
Dr. McIntyre added that the location is crucial and ideal as it represents 3.2% of Dominica’s exclusive economic zone. “This location was selected on analysis of critical areas for the whales with minimal impact on shipping and trade.”
By November 1, 2024, the much-talked-about Sperm Whale Reserve should be officially established, the Finance Minister affirmed.
This regime repeat the chorus that Dominica is the first in most things. The first climate resilient country, the first sperm whale reserve, the first totally green energy country, this concoction of infidels and misfits often proclaims.
The country holds the unenviable record as highest unemployment, poverty, taxes, corruption, trickery, self enrichment of ministers, and I pause.
What I would like Dominica to really be is first to achieve food security in the Caribbean as this is a realistic probability to attain..A sperm whale reserve does not grow the economy in any significant way. We should make every effort to revert Dominica back to the food basket of the Caribbean instead of the present basket case.
Silly me, for a moment there I thought it was for the benefit of the whales.
UWP keep repeating the same old foolishness everyday,for years.Dominicans are not listening.