The tiny Caribbean island nation of Dominica is moving to protect one of the ocean’s most remarkable giants by creating the world’s first marine sanctuary specifically for sperm whales.
Covering almost 800 square kilometers along the island’s western shelf, the government announced this week that this feeding area will be designated a reserve.
“These majestic, highly intelligent animals deserve safety, and we will keep our waters and climate healthy,” said Dominica’s prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit in a statement.
Estimates suggest fewer than 500 sperm whales inhabit the waters around Dominica. They form part of a population that migrates along the Lesser Antilles, moving south toward Saint Vincent and north toward Guadeloupe. Officials noted that, unlike some other sperm whale populations, those in the Eastern Caribbean do not travel long distances.
Dominica’s location in the Caribbean places it on a critical route for these creatures, and the reserve aims to safeguard essential feeding and breeding areas.
Experts point out that sperm whales live in matrilineal groups, with young males often leaving their family pods to explore other oceans. Protecting the species becomes especially important when cub numbers are low. A baby’s death can ripple through a family group, a reality underscored by researchers and cited by the media.
Sperm whales give birth to a single calf every five to seven years, a slow reproductive rate that underscores the need for protection.
Threats to sperm whales in Dominica and elsewhere include collisions with vessels, entanglement in fishing gear, and the impacts of agricultural runoff. These factors limit their survival and the resilience of the population.
More than half of the world’s sperm whales have disappeared
Before modern whaling, an estimated two million sperm whales roamed deep ocean waters. Today only about 800,000 remain, a decline driven by historical exploitation and ongoing human impacts. The Dominica government’s reservation aims to support sustainable artisanal fishing while maintaining a clear international sea route to reduce whale mortalities. Sperm whales, famed for their enormous brains, can reach up to 15 meters in length.
With the reserve in place, the government plans to appoint an official and observers to enforce protection measures and regulate whale tourism. Visitors will be able to observe sperm whales by boat or swim with them in limited numbers, with strict adherence to guidelines designed to minimize disturbance.
The initiative has drawn praise from scientists and environmentalists. National Geographic explorer Enric Sala remarked that Dominica has recognized these whales as resident citizens of the island, earning a level of protection that many nations have not yet achieved.
Dominica hosts an estimated 35 family groups of sperm whales in its waters. Some individuals are believed to be over 60 years old, and these whales communicate using clicks in a repertoire of sounds known as codas.
In conversations about their vocalizations and social behavior, researchers note the playful yet persistent nature of whale societies and how these sounds help coordinate travel and foraging.
Sperm whales and carbon cycling
When sperm whales descend to depths of up to 3,000 meters, they pause nonessential bodily functions and defecate near the surface. Their nutrient-rich droppings stimulate surface plankton blooms, which play a role in capturing carbon and moving it toward the deep ocean when the whales eventually die. Scientists say the reserve could contribute to climate resilience by supporting this natural carbon cycle.
Researchers from the Dominica Sperm Whale Project, led by biologist Shane Gero, suggest that sperm whales in this region may defecate more often than others. This could be linked to higher food intake or differences in the squid species they consume, though the exact cause remains under study.
In one interpretation, the whales’ feeding patterns and associated carbon processes may help mitigate atmospheric CO2, a reminder that large marine mammals partake in global climate dynamics in meaningful ways.
As the reserve takes shape, scientists emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring to understand ecosystem responses and to adapt management practices. The move highlights a broader push to protect marine mammals and balance human activity with conservation in the Caribbean.
Note: The environmental authorities in Dominica are moving to publish additional guidance on whale-watching protocols and vessel approaches to ensure responsible interaction and minimal disturbance to these remarkable creatures.