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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Dana Point is the first Whale Heritage Site in the U.S.

People come from all over to whale watch from the shores of Dana Point. The city in Orange County is a hub for sea life, thanks to its harbor and protected marine area.

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By Madeleine Brand • Feb 11, 2021 • 8m Listen

People come from all over to whale watch from the shores of Dana Point. The city in Orange County is a hub for sea life, thanks to its harbor and protected marine area. Gray whales, humpbacks and orcas can all be spotted from the shore, as well as many different dolphin species — as they migrate to Mexico.

Dana Point is also now the first Whale Heritage Site in the U.S. The designation is a recognition for areas known for having important, cultural ties to marine life, like whales and dolphins. There are only three other Whale Heritage Sites in the world: Hervey Bay in Australia, the Bluff in South Africa, and Tenerife-La Gomera Marine Area in Spain.

The designation comes from a nonprofit conservation group called the World Cetacean Alliance, which is based in the UK. Their goal is to highlight places with responsible and sustainable whale and dolphin watching programs.

Guest: Donna Kalez, Co-president of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. Gisele Anderson, Vice president at Capt Dave's Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

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    Sarah Sweeney

    Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

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    Angie Perrin

    Producer, Press Play

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    Michell Eloy

    Line Editor, Press Play

  • KCRW placeholder

    Donna Kalez

    Co-president of Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

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    Gisele Anderson

    Vice president at Capt Dave's Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari

    CultureOrange CountyEnvironmentCalifornia
Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand