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Plettenberg Bay named South Africa’s third Whale Heritage Site

The Western Cape’s Plettenberg Bay has officially become a Whale Heritage Site, one of only three in South Africa.

The Western Cape’s Plettenberg Bay has officially become a Whale Heritage Site, one of only three in South Africa. Photo: canva

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.

ALSO READ: Garden Route’s Tsitsikamma trail gets big facilities upgrade

A Southern Right Whale. Photo: canva

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.

ALSO READ: SEE: Amazing! Whale gives birth to calf in Walker Bay

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.

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Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.

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