~~Adz:Right~~Basseterre, St. Kitts (June 20, 2006): While some islands in the Caribbean already promote whale watching as an economic income earner some of the countries consider the activity a promising prospect.
Antigua and Barbuda International Whaling Commission (IWC) Representative Colin Murdoch said there might be potential in whale watching. He noted that between March and April certain migratory species of whale pass through the Caribbean island chain to the east of Antigua and Barbuda. However, Mr. Murdoch said that a technical study has not been done to find out the feasibility of whale watching and how it can be actualized in his sister islands.
Andrew Magloire of Dominica said that whale watching is already undertaken by his island and it is promoted as an alternate economic activity. He said that both the sighting of whales and the harvesting of the large cetaceans can coexist. In order to prove that such is possible Mr. Magloire gave a similar example.
He said that Dominica promotes dive tourism and people visit to enjoy the beauty and bounty of the reef fish.
Mr. Magloire said that at the end of the session the divers go to restaurants and order the same species of fish, whether it is grouper or snapper for their meal. He explained that Dominica has a management regime which ensures that dive tourism is not exclusive but the fishing aspect is also included. Mr. Magloire said that the two activities have been allowed to co-exist and both have done very well.
~~Adz:Left~~The IWC Dominican representative noted that although the two can coexist, if there seems to be the potential for conflict it is a matter of placing distance between the two aspects.
Mr. Magloire, however, did not negate the original regulatory role of the IWC noting that endangered species do deserve protection. He said that certain living resources have difficulty surviving or have their survival threatened by certain circumstances, these species he said should be protected. Mr. Magloire stated that this will allow the species to be revitalized and regrouped so that they can be critical components of biodiversity. He said that biodiversity is an essential part of the fabric of the ecosystem.
The IWC Dominican representative went on to emphasize that animals that are thriving should be used as income earners by as many means as possible.
