Marine sanctuaries for cetaceans around the world

From the Pelagos Sanctuary in the Mediterranean to the Southern Ocean Sanctuary, which bans all commercial whaling south of the 40^th parallel, by way of the protected waters of AGOA in the Antilles, marine sanctuaries are the main legal instrument for the protection of cetaceans worldwide. This interactive map lists the 15 main sanctuaries in the world: for each one you will find the species present, the best season for watching, the legal status (national or international) and how to support local conservation initiatives.

Creating a marine sanctuary for cetaceans does not automatically mean that all human activity is banned: depending on the jurisdiction, the status ranges from a simple regulated watching area to a complete ban on hunting, fishing and even shipping. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) manages two of the largest sanctuaries (the Indian Ocean since 1979, the Southern Ocean since 1994) by prohibiting commercial whaling, while the others fall under national legislation or regional agreements such as ACCOBAMS for the Mediterranean.