As a way to commemorate the arrival of the giants of the ocean, Santa Catalina organized a series of activities organized by the Santa Catalina Sea Cooperative together with the National Government, the Panama Tourism Authority, the Ministry of the Environment (Mi Ambiente) , Panama By Nature and Living Sea.
The commemorative activities for the whale watching season began with a meeting to review together with tour operators and community members the importance of responsible and sustainable practices when participating in whale watching activities. Whales have provided Santa Catalina and the rest of the country with an important economic opportunity within what is considered the low season of Panamanian tourism.
Santa Catalina Tourism Development
Santa Catalina has developed over time as a tourist destination, first as a “surf spot” beginning in the 1970s, and later becoming the gateway to the Coiba National Marine Park when the prison was closed. on the main island in 2004.
Union of Residents Creates a Great Idea
The residents of Santa Catalina as they began the preparations realized that the whales were giving them an opportunity to unite both local residents and foreigners of Santa Catalina.
For this reason, when members of the local community asked foreigners to collaborate on some art installations for their ‘migration celebration’, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for further unity; work together for a common cause in a fun environment.
From this union arose the events to commemorate whale season and the creativo of a giant woven whale tail to be burned in a ceremony on the beach together with residents and Visitor. This idea that was inspired by the New Year’s event that is also held in this tourist town called “Burning Woman”, a giant “doll” that the resident women build to burn at midnight on New Year’s Eve with a party on Estero beach ( Oasis).
For Santa Catalina residents, migrating whales are linking and connecting the people on the coast, and this interactive art installation proved to provide the same connection. A powerful collaboration between local and foreign community members that they hope will continue to take shape over time.
