Southern Right Whales Return to Hermanus, Boosting South African Coast Tourism

According to Euronews, southern right whales have returned to the waters of Walker Bay near Hermanus on the South African coast, prompting hundreds of spectators to gather on the cliffs and at the town’s annual whale‑watching festival. The sighting includes several adult females nursing newborn calves, a phenomenon that had not been observed in the region for several years, rekindling public interest in the marine spectacle. The resurgence arrives against a broader European context of heightened marine‑conservation cooperation. The European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive and funding for trans‑national marine protected areas encourage partner countries, including South Africa, to protect migratory species such as right whales. Additionally, the International Whaling Commission’s recovery plan, supported by EU member states, aligns with South Africa’s own coastal management policies, facilitating joint research programmes and sustainable tourism guidelines that benefit both continents. For local businesses and European visitors, the whales’ return is expected to generate a notable uplift in tourism revenue during the peak season. Operators are already expanding tour capacities, while travel agencies in the EU are promoting “whale‑watching holidays” that comply with responsible wildlife‑watching standards. The next official whale‑watching festival is scheduled for late November, and authorities will monitor population trends to adjust conservation measures and visitor numbers accordingly.

Source: Euronews. Read the original report ↗