A Whale of an Accomplishment

Our Eden by the Beach is about to have a whale of a time!

The World Cetacean Alliance and World Animal Protection have just announced the designation of the ninth Whale Heritage Area in the world and only the second such area in the U.S. with the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area.

The rare designation highlights the region’s commitment to promoting responsible ecotourism, providing more ocean educational opportunities, supporting ongoing research and conservation efforts, and honoring the timeless cultural connection with whales.

Together these two organizations have launched a new global program, Wildlife Heritage Areas, as the larger initiative to support a coalition of responsible travel businesses with wildlife conservation.

“World Animal Protection and our partners are breaking new ground in the world of responsible and sustainable tourism,” says Cameron Harsh, U.S. director of programs for World Animal Protection. “Now people will be able to discover amazing destinations for responsibly seeing animals in the wild – one of which we are proud to say is right here in the U.S.

“The Santa Barbara community is making the protection of wild animals and their homes a clear priority for local tourism, and it is our hope that many other places across America follow their lead.”

The Santa Barbara Channel, renowned for its rich biodiversity and thriving marine ecosystem, has long been a haven for more than 25 species of cetaceans – whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

“I am thrilled the Whale Heritage Area has come to fruition, especially because my late husband, Fred, first promoted the Santa Barbara Channel as a safe whale-watching destination,” says Hiroko Benko, owner of the popular whale watching vessel the Condor Express.

“In many ways, Fred was a visionary, leading by example in the construction of the vessel, which promotes safe whale-watching as the boat has no propeller.”