The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is thrilled to announce that Santa Catarina Nursery has been designated as a Whale Heritage Area! Santa Catarina Nursery, situated in the southern region of Brazil, is only the second destination in Latin America to achieve Whale Heritage Area status.
Whale Heritage Areas is a global programme run by the WCA, which formally recognises locations where the local community is committed to celebrating, respecting and protecting whales, dolphins, and their habitats. Whale Heritage Areas form part of the Wildlife Heritage Areas network, an initiative co-founded by the WCA and World Animal Protection.
Santa Catarina Nursery Whale Heritage Area is a significant breeding ground for Southern right whales. Every year, between May and November, these magnificent baleen whales migrate to the sheltered waters of Santa Catarina’s coves to give birth and raise their calves.
Southern right whales, as well as the area’s resident dolphins, are of exceptional cultural, social, and ecological importance in the region and are deeply embedded in the local community’s identity.
Community stakeholders in the Whale Heritage Area have been organising ‘Whale Welcome Celebrations’ since 2016, with the aim of strengthening ties between people and whales. These annual events create an opportunity for the local communities to celebrate and engage with their natural heritage and its conservation.
Whale watching in Santa Catarina is done exclusively on land, from beaches, dunes, viewpoints and cliffs, in line with legislation that prohibits tourist boats in breeding coves, helping to protect the mother whales and their calves from any disturbance.
This land-based model is great for both people and wildlife: it strengthens and supports the local economy, expands opportunities for environmental education, and raises awareness about wildlife conservation. Interpretative centres, community monitoring, and local guides all contribute to the quality of the experience for visitors.
This Whale Heritage Area is also known for its native bottlenose dolphins, which share an unusually collaborative relationship with local fishermen. During mullet season, the dolphins seem to communicate with the fishermen by signalling the location of the shoal, and even help to push fish into the nets. In turn, any fish that are not caught swim back towards the dolphins and are eaten. This unusual interaction has been certified as intangible cultural heritage and Santa Catarina is only the second place in the world where this behaviour has been reported.
Elizabeth Cuevas Zimbrón, the WCA’s Whale Heritage Areas Programme Manager, said: “Becoming a Whale Heritage Area will bring well-deserved global recognition to the communities of Santa Catarina. As our network of areas continues to grow worldwide, we’re excited to welcome Santa Catarina Nursery and congratulate the steering committee on their efforts to achieve this prestigious designation, which reflects years of community-led work to safeguard Southern right whales and their habitat.
Local communities—including artisanal fishers, tourism operators, educators, researchers and NGOs—are actively engaged in conservation, education, research, social and economic development, and cultural celebration. The area benefits from strong community stewardship, with stakeholders participating in education programmes, cultural events, and sustainable tourism initiatives that integrate whale conservation with local development.
Santa Catarina’s dedication to conservation, education, traditional knowledge, and responsible eco-cultural tourism is truly inspiring.”
The WCA is immensely grateful to the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF) and ATCF member Toad&Co for their generous funding to expand our global network of Whale Heritage Areas. Thanks to their invaluable support, we have been able to engage with the local community in Santa Catarina and work with them towards achieving this designation over the past year.
Header photo of Southern right whale mother and calf in Santa Catarina Nursery, by Ana Carvalho.
