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Oh Joya! Make a splash in Freo on National Whale Day

IT'S National Whale Day on June 14, and the City of Fremantle is celebrating by highlighting its adopted whale, Joya.

A special children’s storytime, focusing on whale tales and the ocean, will be held in the Fremantle City Library from 10am, June 12, and 11am, June 14.

“Kids are sure to have a whale of a time with these one-hour story sessions and lots of rhymes,” children’s library assistant Bree Forsyth said.

A framed photo of Joya, along with a banner welcoming Freo’s whale, will also be on display in the Town Hall Centre arcade, opposite the service and information counter.

Part of the Humpback Whale Migration Icon Project, the City of Fremantle decided to adopt a whale last December and called on the public to pick a suitable name in a competition.

Palmyra resident Deanna Cataldi came up with the name of Joya, meaning joy in Italian (and also an Anglicised version of “gioia”).

“Adopting a whale was a chance to show our commitment to these magnificent sea creatures while getting the community involved at a grassroots level,” Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri said.

“Deanna’s entry highlighted the joy people gain from these majestic animals and ‘gioia’ is also used as an Italian form of greeting to old friends or acquaintances.

“As this is the first National Whale Day, it’s a timely reminder that Fremantle remains opposed to the practice of whale slaughter, reflecting the strength of feeling in our port city, along with the wider Australian community.

“But, most importantly, it’s a day of a celebration as we remember that whales are an integral part of the world environment.”

National Whale Day, an IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) initiative, celebrates the unique relationship Australians have with whales, but also draws attention to some of the threats they face today, which include whaling, climate change, ship strikes, marine debris and ocean noise.

“Since the last Australian whaling station was closed in 1978, Australia has become a world leader in whale conservation – and this national day recognises our love of whales and our ongoing fight to protect them,” IFAW Asia Pacific Director Erica Martin said.

“The future of whales is in all our hands. National Whale Day is a reminder that anyone can help to protect whales.

“The City of Fremantle event is just one of 23 events being held across Australia for National Whale Day, uniting the country in a celebration of these magnificent marine mammals and their environment.

“An IFAW report has found that the whale watching industry generates more than $300 million annually to the Australian economy but their value is so much more than purely economic.”

More information about National Whale Day can be found at www.nationalwhaleday.com.au. For more details on the Fremantle events, contact Fre-info on 9432 9888.