Popular diving center for humpback whale and dolphin watching meets criteria for protecting wild habitats
Friend of the Sea, the preeminent global certification standard for products and services that respect and protect the marine environment, announced today Manta Diving Nosy Be, a popular diving center in Madagascar, has achieved pre-certification for its program for Sustainable Dolphin and Whale Watching. The standard protects dolphin and whale habitats by limiting human contact, pollutants and unintentional disturbance.
“Manta Nosy Be is an impressive operation on many fronts,” said Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea. “Not only do they make the entire experience of the sea fun and exciting, they have committed to protecting the environment. This helps the creatures their customers see, but it also helps their business. ” Manta Nosy Be offers a wide range of diving activities along with excursions in Madagascar.
The diving center is located on Nosy Be island (Formerly Nossi-bé), a major tourist resort center off the northwest coast of Madagascar. Their programs mainly spot humpback whales (Megaptera novaeanglie) from late August to the beginning of October. They allow guests to see three species of dolphins all year round. In some cases, guests can even see Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) and the Bryde’s whale (Balenoptera edeni) in May and from October through December.
The standard sets a maximum number of vessels in the area at any one time. It limits maximum approach speed and distance between the boats and the dolphins. At the same, it prohibits swimming with the animals and the use of single-use plastics on board the tour boats. Customers can interact with Friend of the Sea, giving feedback on the tour.
“For along time, Manta Diving Nosy Be had been looking for an organization that would embrace its modus operandi, committing to respect nature and safeguard the environment through information. Finally, the knowledge of Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea arrives, with regards not only to the marine environment and its animals, but also to the many activities that take place with it. Receiving Friend of the Sea certification,” says Manta Diving Nosy Be, “and being an active part of this project makes us proud and increasingly motivated in transmitting the same strong values as Friend of the Sea”.
