The Western Cape’s Plettenberg Bay has officially become a Whale Heritage Site, one of only three in South Africa.
Another Whale Heritage Site for South Africa
Plettenberg Bay, or ‘Plett’ as it’s affectionately known by locals, has joined two other local spots to become South Africa’s third Whale Heritage Site (WHS).
According to Tourism Update, the town joins The Bluff and Algoa Bay as the third WHS in the country and one of only seven fully accredited WHS designations worldwide.
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Plettenberg Bay is also located between two Marine Protected Areas, Tsitsikamma and Robberg, and supports a variety of ocean wildlife, including Humpback whales, Southern Right whales, Bryde’s whales, Orcas and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins.
Melissa Theron, General Manager at The Plettenberg Hotel, told Tourism Update that the WHS status would do great things for marine tourism in Plett, as it provided a clear marker for discerning guests who want to support sustainable marine practices.
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What is the Whale Heritage Site programme?
The Whale Heritage Site programme, established by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), recognises outstanding locations where cetaceans like whales, dolphins or porpoises are embraced through the cultural, economic, social, and political lives of associated communities and where people and cetaceans coexist in an authentic and respectful way.
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According to the WHS website:
“Plettenberg Bay plays an important role within the larger ecosystem, boasting a breath-taking blend of pristine beaches, winding rivers, serene lagoons, ancient indigenous forests, and the vast expanse of the sea. The Marine Protected Area serves as a crucial feeding and nursery ground for a wide variety of resident and migratory cetacean species, with the Southern right whale being one of the most notable and representative inhabitants.”
Other Whale Heritage Sites include Hervey Bay, Australia, Tenerife-La Gomera Marine Area, Spain, Dana Point, USA and The Azores, Portugal.
