SANTO DOMINGO.- The Environment Ministry (Semarena) and seven other organizations yesterday signed the yearly agreement to manage the whale-watching in season Samaná bay, aimed at defining the rules to conduct the activity.

In addition to Semarena, the Navy, the Tourism Ministry, the Samaná Bay Eco-development and Conservation Center (Cebse), the Samaná Bay Boat Owners Association (ATEMAR) and the Samaná Tourism Service also signed the document.

The commitments include inspection of tour boats and guarantees to the whales’ safety.

Last year around 35,000 people visited the humpback whale observation zone between January and April, while the authorities and the population expect the figure to be repeated this year, as the activity is the zone’s main source of income.

The mammals arrive each year at Samaná from the North Atlantic to mate and calve their young.

The fees collected per visit are used to pay Semarena personnel, and this year - according to Cebse director Patricia Lamelas - part of it will also go for research.

Last year part of the show ventured out of Samaná, as the whales were also seen along the Malecon, Santo Domingo’s seaside boulevard, the second time in the last 20 years.