TERRA AZUL Açores primeira portuguesa certificada como responsável pela WCA.---- True's Beaked Whales (aerial view) in São Miguel, Azores Islands | TERRA AZUL™ | Jornal “O Breves”–“ Breves TV Online”

TERRA AZUL Açores primeira portuguesa certificada como responsável pela WCA.

A TERRA AZUL operadora de observação de cetáceos em Vila Franca do Campo - nas ilhas dos Açores, foi recentemente distinguida com o certificado "Operador Responsável de Observação de Baleias" pelo quadro de ensaios da Aliança Mundial de Cetáceos.

UMA TERRA AZUL já parceira da WCA, este mês de junho foi incluída na lista internacional de empresas certificadas, a primeira portuguesa neste grupo exclusivo.

Numa época turbulenta para o Turismo, não podemos deixar de estar orgulhosos com isto, e pedimos que partilhe esta notícia com seus subscritores ou colaboradores.

TERRA AZUL WHALE WATCHING NOW CERTIFIED

The Azores Islands Whale Watching operator, TERRA AZUL,
is the first portuguese company recognized by WCA’s
global responsible whale watching certification program.
Vila Franca do Campo, Azores Islands - Portugal: This late June 2020, Azores Whale Watching &
Wildlife Tours TERRA AZUL was recognized with the WCA Responsible Whale Watching
Certification, a global program by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA).
Developed by scientists, whale watching businesses, and marine conservation charities in over 40
countries, this certification awards respectful, responsible and sustainable tourism, distinguishing
the very best whale and dolphin watching experiences worldwide. At this moment TERRA AZUL is
the only company in Portugal (and the Azores Islands) holding this certification, one of the few
worldwide.
“We’re proud to join the WCA’s selection of specialists in the industry, with our best drive to
promote respectful tourism and sustainability for future generations”, says Miguel Cravinho, Coowner and Chief of Operations at TERRA AZUL.
Lorenzo Fiori, Technical and Science Director, highlights that “this is a reflection of our focus on
educational science, and as humans at work, the best practice with scientific knowledge in action,
and environmental responsibility in mind. Contribution to local wildlife research projects such as
MONICET are very important.”
Filipe Sousa, Sales & Marketing Director, adds that it “recognizes the commitment of the scientists
and professionals that worked with TERRA AZUL, for the past 20 years. We hope this can continue
to inspire them, and others to follow.”
“Our Partners in the Azores have been core to the work of the WCA since its beginning and we are
so proud to recognize our new Partner, TERRA AZUL, with the WCA Certification. This achievement
highlights their ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and research and their
enthusiasm for education in all that they do.” says Sophie Lewis, Communication and Strategy
Manager at the World Cetacean Alliance.
Whale and dolphin watching is a global 2 billion euro industry, available in over 120 countries
worldwide. When managed poorly, whale watching tourism can have severe negative impact on
the welfare of whale and dolphin populations. If conducted responsibly and respectfully, it

benefits visitors and local communities, providing jobs and income, and opportunity to see ocean
animals in the wild while proactively raising environmental awareness.
The WCA Responsible Whale Watching Certification Program is the only global certification for
whale and dolphin watching tourism, representing the international technical standards for
responsible whale watching, developed by the industry, for the industry.
Customers of WCA certified responsible whale and dolphin watching tours can be confident they
are travelling with the very best of whale and dolphin watching experiences in the world. Not only
do these tours operate with the utmost care for local wildlife, sustainability, and the customer
experience, but also contribute to whale and dolphin conservation and community awareness
projects run locally and internationally.
About Azores Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours TERRA AZUL:
TERRA AZUL is a marine eco-tour operator since 2001, specialized in Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours,
operating daily at the Marina of Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel - Azores Islands, in Portugal.
Based on Scientific Education, Research Contribution, and Environmental Conservation, all tours are guided
by Marine Biologists or Naturalists, where field Imagery and Data is collected to contribute towards local
and international wildlife research & conservation projects for Cetaceans, Sea Turtles and Birds, and visitors
are welcome to participate.
With deep rooting to local culture, TERRA AZUL applies the authentic Azorean techniques used for Whaling
until 1984, now to the service of culture and education in leisure, and for an even better chance to observe
marine Wildlife. Find out more at www.azoreswhalewatch.com.

About the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA):
The World Cetacean Alliance is the world’s largest marine conservation partnership. Their mission is to
protect whales, dolphins and porpoises through a connected community of people with the expertise,
capacity, and resources to act as the voice for cetaceans and their habitats locally, nationally, and
internationally.
The WCA Partners include whale watch tour operators, NGOs, scientists, and educators, working together to
create a respectful, responsible and sustainable whale watching tourism industry worldwide. Find out more
at www.worldcetaceanalliance.org.

About Whales and Marine Wildlife in Azores Islands
In the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, 3 to 5 hours away from the EU and US, the Azores Islands in Portugal are
a unique destination to observe Marine Wildlife. With 4 resident Cetacean species (including Sperm Whales),
and from March up to 24 species more, including Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Sei Whales, and many Dolphins,
adding up to a third of all known species.
Chances to observe Cetaceans are incredible – with 98% spotting chance for Cetaceans on average 3
different species per tour. Adding to this, marine biodiversity is widely abundant, and it is possible to
observe a wide variety of Fish, Turtles, and Birds

Marina Vila Franca do Campo 4, 9680 São Miguel Island, Azores Islands – Portugal
Booking Support: +351 913 453 030 info@azoreswhalewatch.com
Partner Support: +351 296 581 361 partners@azoreswhalewatch.com
Links: Webpage | Tripadvisor | Google | Facebook | Youtube | LinkedIn - we’ll follow back!