Uruguay’s Ministry of Tourism has inaugurated the country’s Southern right whale watching season and presented a new Marine Wildlife Route running along the Atlantic coast from Solís, in Maldonado, to La Coronilla, in Rocha, Travel2Latam reported.
The route was developed jointly by the Ministry, the departmental governments of Maldonado and Rocha, local municipalities, specialised guides, academic institutions and civil society organisations. As part of the launch, 10 interpretive signs, designed and funded by the Ministry and installed by participating municipalities, were placed along the coastline. Each sign details the main marine species found in the area, including whales, orcas, dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions and coastal birds, along with the likelihood of sighting each species, categorised as high, medium or low.
Undersecretary of Tourism Ana Claudia Caram highlighted the importance of research, planning and training in ensuring tourism initiatives deliver a real impact, and said collaboration with residents, businesses and institutions was key to strengthening the sector, according to the report. She also pointed to ongoing programmes supporting small businesses and workshops introducing new technology across the country.
Southern right whales migrate to Uruguayan waters each year between July and October to mate, give birth and raise their calves, with the species reaching up to 16 metres in length and 40 tonnes in weight. Uruguay is among a small number of countries where the whales can be observed just metres from the shore.
The Ministry said the initiative is designed to diversify Uruguay’s tourism offer beyond the summer season, inviting visitors to explore the coastline between Piriápolis and La Barra del Chuy while supporting the conservation of marine biodiversity along the country’s Atlantic coast.