Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell

Today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is complete.

Will Falcon, aka Vitaly Sokol, CC license

Dominica to Create World’s First Sperm Whale Reserve–for the 200 That Call the Island Home

By Andy Corbley

Sperm whales are the ocean’s greatest nomads, but one island in the Caribbean is creating a permanent home for them.

A roughly 300 square mile patch of ocean in the territorial waters of Dominica is the only place known on Earth where sperm whales can be seen regularly throughout the year when they arrive to breed, and it’s here that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the island nation has established the world’s first sperm whale reserve.

“The 200 or so sperm whales that call our sea home are prized citizens of Dominica,” Mr. Skerrit said.

“Their ancestors likely inhabited Dominica before humans arrived. We want to ensure these majestic and highly intelligent animals are safe from harm and continue keeping our waters and our climate healthy.”

The marine reserve covers 800 square kilometers for those using metric, an area where commercial shipping and fishing will be forbidden from entering. Large ships can harm sperm whales, but smaller vessels, designated in the law as artisanal fishing, will be permitted inside the reserve, provided their methods do not harm the whales.

Sperm whales have the biggest teeth in the animal kingdom. They also have the biggest brains and can pass down a unique cetacean culture that includes dialects of their clicking language.

Tourists will be able to view and swim with the creatures in sustainable numbers, BBC reports.

The good news is a country takes its animal citizens seriously and has taken measures to protect them. Today’s JohnKu wonders about the rest of the world. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Citizen Animals by John W. Howell © 2023

Dominica cares,

To protect its citizens . . .

Will you join in, too?

61 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  22. Good news, indeed, John! Thanks so much for sharing something GOOD that people are doing. (What a change from the “normal” daily news of late.) And what a truly wonderful thing these folks are doing, too. Whales are absolutely amazing, and I’m so happy these steps are being taken to protect this species. Thank you again for sharing exactly what I needed to read this morning. 😀 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Love this!
    As for your inquiring JohnKu; I wish Canada would take a more active role, instead of just reporting how many whales get tangled in cast off nets & other whale related insanity.
    🐳𝓧 🐳𝓧 🐳𝓧 🐳𝓧

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Right!
        We can be very lazy, when we should be on the ball.
        Our planet’s animals deserve way better by and large.
        🌎✘ 🌍 ✘ 🌏✘

        Like

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