WHALE WATCHING OPERATORS ON REUNION GET CERTIFIED
(Posted 30th July 2014)
Companies, managers and guides engaged in whale watching off the shores of Reunion can now attain O2 CR Certification, an internationally recognized process in line with the 2009 Charter of observing and studying Cetaceans. The global agreement was spearheaded by SYPRAL, the Professional Association of Leisure Activities companies and GLOBICE, a local NGO for the observation and identification of Cetaceans.
As of June there were 5 fully certified companies on Reunion, Cruises & Discoveries, Blue Marine, The 5th Element, Bulle d’Eau and Corail Plongee and in July two more attained certification, namely the diving club B’Leu Ocean and Reunion Plongee.
The label offers certainty to tourists that their chosen operator adheres to strict standards, after they have undergone a stringent audit before being certified and allowed to display these credentials. Whale and dolphin watching as well as scientific missions off the Reunion coast are popular and are drawing in hundreds of tourists a month during the season when the boats go out to sea, keeping a respectful distance from the whales and dolphins.
For information on the wide range of tourism attractions and activities available on Reunion click on www.reunion.fr
