Ten Whale and Dolphin Species in 21 Days, and a Reserve to Follow

The Caribbean Cetacean Society's Ti Whale An Nou programme ran its third consecutive 21-day expedition around Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao in autumn 2025, recording ten cetacean species including pantropical spotted dolphins at all three islands, sperm whales off Curaçao and Bonaire, the first striped dolphins seen at Bonaire and beaked whales detected acoustically near Aruba. Regional coordinator Stacey Mac Donald, who grew up on Curaçao, led the work, and Curaçao announced a marine reserve during the expedition, which the team argues must be matched by regional cooperation because the animals move between islands. In June 2026 the society launched Project Calypso from Willemstad, a Caribbean-wide survey of whales, dolphins and sharks using acoustics, environmental DNA and cameras. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Martinique, it reports more than 30 expeditions and 300 people trained across the region.