ENVIRONMENT: The Whale Festival returns on January 29

After the success of the first edition on April 3, 2022, the Métimer association and its partners are offering a second edition of the Fête de la Baleine, an event that highlights this majestic animal species and marks the start of the humpback whale season. in Saint Martin.

Although World Whale Day takes place every February 20, the organizing team has decided on January 29 for logistical reasons. The Bale Festivaline is the meeting place for children and adults wishing to know more about the marine mammal as well as the other species present in the waters of Saint-Martin. It will take place this Sunday, January 29 from 15 p.m. to 19 p.m. on the Place du Village in Orient Bay. Saint Martin is the second most important site in the Caribbean after the Dominican Republic where humpback whales come to reproduce each year, there are between 2000 and 3000 in the area. If the season is only at its beginnings, a whale and its calf have already been observed last Sunday between Tintamarre and Anguilla. The Métimer association, initiator of the project, is renewing its collaboration with various players in the protection and knowledge of whales working on the preservation of biodiversity, data collection and strict supervision concerning the observation of humpback whales: the Saint Martin Nature Reserve which will offer the public the unique experience of a visual immersion in the marine world, the Agoa sanctuary which will do the same by placing hearing at the heart of discovery with headphones to listen to the song of the whales , the Megaptera association created by Michel Vely who will share his expertise in whales and sharks, My school My Whale with Amandine whose stand was invaded by children last year thanks to fun and interactive games on pollution awareness and to the protection of marine ecosystems, and finally, Métimer who will take advantage of the opportunity to make the "whale watchers" better known, we There are now five in Saint-Martin who have followed the training allowing them to approach whales at 100m (instead of the regulatory 300). All will be present at the party on January 29 where children and adults will have the opportunity to attend conferences, the one for the little ones will be held at the Théâtre de la Chapelle from 16:30 p.m. to 17:30 p.m. and for adults from 18 p.m. to 19 p.m. , completely free of charge for the two events which will be as exciting as those of last year. Children are also invited to participate in the drawing competition (A4 format to be handed in at the Métimer stand on D-Day) with, for the three winners, an outing at sea. All the players are unanimous: it is the whales that allowed them to come together and work together, with one focus, to protect them and give them the glory they deserve. _VX