Encountering humpback whales
To raise public awareness and encourage greater observation of humpback whales, the association Mon École, Ma Baleine launched its programme "Les Sentinelles de la Mer à Saint-Martin" (The Sea Watchers of Saint Martin) for the first time in 2025. A second edition is taking place this month.
The aim of this programme is to raise awareness of cetaceans in their natural environment in order to better protect them and preserve their habitat. Volunteers from various branches, including the one in Saint-Martin with Amandine Vaslet, give presentations and lectures in schools or at events such as the Whale Festival. Scientific data is popularised and presented using a range of educational tools, classified by level and in several languages, so that it is accessible to all. The "Les Sentinelles de la Mer" programme, which has also been running for three years in Guadeloupe and Martinique, offers sessions for observing humpback whales in their natural environment in order to better understand their behaviour.
Four dates for the public
As last year, the Mon École, Ma Baleine association will organise four events in March. The first session will take place on Sunday 8 March on the Grandes Cayes trail in Cul de Sac, from 4pm to 6pm. This is the best time of day to observe humpback whales from the coast. The luckiest participants – because ultimately it is the whales who decide – will be able to observe a blow, a jump or even a mother whale and her calf. Binoculars will be available on site to help participants observe the whales more closely. The two hours of observation will also be used to provide information about these extraordinary marine mammals. The meeting point will be in the donkey car park and observations will be made from the orientation table. Three other sessions are also scheduled for Saturday 21 March and Saturday 4 April at the same place and time, and Saturday 28 March at Babit Point (meet in the car park), again from 4pm to 6pm.
