"Crew of international vessel visits Espaço Vida Marinha to exchange experiences on whale protection"

Espaço Vida Marinha, part of the Municipal Tourism Department of São Sebastião, welcomed the crew of the cargo ship Lowlands Pelikaan, arriving from Chile.

During the voyage from Antofagasta to São Sebastião, the crew took part in practical training provided by the company Whale Guardians, under the coordination of Captain Sveto. The training covered measures to prevent collisions between ships and whales—one of the greatest risks to these animals—such as reducing speed in specific areas, altering routes, and increasing vigilance in locations with a higher incidence of sightings.

The crew learned about the Projeto Baleia à Vista (Whale in Sight Project) and the local monitoring network, presented by Júlio Cardoso. Along the route, the team spotted several whales and applied the learned protocols, adjusting their course to ensure the safety of both the animals and the vessel.

According to Júlio Cardoso, from May to August—the period with the highest presence of whales—all ships bound for the Port of São Sebastião and the Almirante Barroso Waterway Terminal receive a notice 24 hours in advance, reinforcing safe navigation recommendations as they approach the channel. The alert system, in operation since 2022, notifies ships, ferries, and tugboats whenever whales are recorded in the region and has now completed three years without collisions.

The initiative is carried out in partnership with the Humpback Whale Institute (Instituto Baleia Jubarte), the Brazilian Navy, Tebar, Dersa, and maritime transport companies, based on a network of observers who issue immediate alerts whenever whales are sighted in the São Sebastião Channel or nearby areas.

The City Hall of São Sebastião won the 2025 National Tourism Award, securing first place in the Natural Heritage Appreciation in Tourism category with its Responsible Whale and Other Cetacean Watching Program.

Credits to Julio Cardoso (Director/Coordinator Projeto Baleia a Vista) & Belle Avolio (Insitutio Baleia Jubarte)

Original Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ajafme9Ky/?mibextid=wwXIfr