Sanctuaries for Whales
A whale sanctuary is a designated area of ocean in which whales -- including
severely depleted and/or vulnerable species -- can find a safe refuge from human
threats to their survival.
A sanctuary may protect whales in their feeding grounds, breeding areas and/or
along their migratory routes. Governments focus on sanctuaries as places
where they can address the ever-increasing list of threats to whale populations.
A close-up view of three sperm whales swimming through the crystal blue waters of the North Atlantic Ocean near the Azores. Photo © IFAW
