[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1853″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1518456362046{margin-top: 25px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”What are Whale Heritage Sites?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23565656″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1521129927948{margin-top: 25px !important;margin-right: 25px !important;margin-left: 25px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Whale Heritage Site (WHS) initiative is an accreditation scheme established by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). WHS are outstanding locations where cetaceans ¹ (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. Their aim is to preserve cetacean species and their habitats on a global scale so that they are around for generations to come.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:15|text_align:left|color:%23565656″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1521130398206{margin-right: 25px !important;margin-left: 25px !important;}”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”688″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://whaleheritagesites.org/benefits-of-whs/” css=”.vc_custom_1521129986938{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Benefits of WHS

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Importance of WHS

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Human-Cetacean History

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WHS are designed to complement other international site networks, such as World Heritage Sites and Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs). For that reason, WCA intends to work with other managing authorities for relevant site processes to ensure that WHS complement, support and enhance them.

We anticipate that future WHS areas will incorporate biocentric (biological and ecosystem centred) processes under development for international areas including IMMAs (Important Marine Mammal Areas), EBSAs (Ecologically or Biologically Sensitive Marine Areas), KBAs (Key Biodiversity Areas), ICAs (Important Cetacean Areas), designated cetacean critical habitats, and/or other schematics addressing cetaceans and/or their habitats.

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¹ A total of 87 species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and an additional 38 subspecies or subpopulations are recognised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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