PMA promotes the protection of cetaceans
The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente), the Tourism Authority (ATP), the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) and the National Aeronautical Service (SENAN) are joining forces to disseminate information about the legal framework governing whale watching.
A first inter-institutional workshop was held to develop strategies for preserving humpback whales, spotted dolphins, and common bottlenose dolphins, which migrate to Panamanian waters to reproduce.
Humpback whales, which migrate through our waters annually to breed, are a major draw for both domestic and international tourists.
The collaborative work of these institutions has culminated in the issuance of Resolution 0144-2022 on July 12, 2022, establishing regulations for cetacean sighting within Panama’s jurisdictional waters. This measure aims to ensure the conservation and proper management of all marine species in the country.
The primary goal of this initial workshop was to inform attendees about the content of Resolution 0144-2022 and familiarize them with the registration, inspection, and training processes required for those involved in or interested in cetacean sighting activities.
“We are in the midst of whale migration season, and protecting these magnificent creatures is our responsibility,” said Max Florez, Director General of Ports and Auxiliary Maritime Industries at the PMA. “To reduce the risk of whale injuries and fatalities from ship strikes, the PMA has issued Circular DGPIMA-014-DECCP-2024, mandating a speed limit of 10 knots for all merchant and other vessels in the Gulf of Panama from August 1 to November 30 each year. This measure aligns with IMO guidelines established in 2014 for areas with high cetacean activity.”
The Republic of Panama is a signatory to both the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), which collectively form the cornerstone of global cetacean protection.
Panama further demonstrated its commitment to marine mammal conservation through the enactment of Law 13 on May 5, 2005, establishing a marine corridor for their protection and preservation within the country’s waters.
