Whale Heritage Area application process
How are Whale Heritage Areas designated?
1. Aspiring WHA
- Register your area
- Sign the Wildlife Heritage Areas guiding principles
- Submit basic information about your area (e.g. name, geographical boundaries, motivation, challenges, cetacean species)
2. Candidate WHA
- Submit inspiring facts, stories and information to show how your community meets the criteria
- Start to create a steering committee
- Once your area becomes a Candidate, you will have a page showcasing your area on both the WCA and Wildlife Heritage Areas websites
3. Designated WHA
- Gather the evidence to demonstrate how your community meets the criteria
- Create an Action Plan
- Submit the evidence, Action Plan and steering committee details for assessment by the WCA and the Independent Review Panel
- After designation: submit an annual report and updated Action Plan every three years
Whale Heritage Area criteria
- Cultural importance of cetaceans
- Respectful human-cetacean coexistence
- Responsible whale and dolphin tourism
- Steering Committee
- Action Plan
Who can apply?
Applications are encouraged from communities that advocate a real connection between cetaceans and both locals and tourists alike, whilst actively promoting the preservation of cetacean habitats for the benefit of present and future generations.
Fee structure
Developing and transitioning countries: USD$750
Developed countries: USD$2,500
A 20% discount on our WCA Approved programme is available for responsible whale and dolphin watching tour operators in Whale Heritage Areas.
Find out more
For more information about the process and how to apply, please contact elizabeth.cuevas@worldcetaceanalliance.org