Whale Watching Impasse along Dominican North Coast Grinds to a Halt

Dominican Environment Minister Max Puig huddled last week with over 25 representatives from the sectors involved in the humpback whale watching at Samana.

After discussion for over a couple of hours, the conflict with the Boat Owners Association was worked out. The rift had sparked protests by the population and threatened to suspend tours to the Marine Mammal Sanctuary during the rest of the observation season, which concludes in March, unless all their boats got the permits.

Mr. Puig detailed the reasons for authorizing the tours for 39 of the Association’s 47 boats, as the remaining 8 had been penalized for faults or for failing to meet the Environment Ministry’s requirements on time.

After addressing the problem and listening to what the different sectors had to say on the issue, the high-ranking official announced the designation of a commission to make a call on the case and weight the possibility of making an exception to issue permits for the 46 boats, 3 more than what it regularly authorizes.