The island of Dominica, located in the Caribbean, is known for its stunning natural beauty, with green jungles and clear blue seas. However, beyond the beautiful landscapes, there’s a story of a community working to protect the environment in a unique way—by making rum to support their conservation efforts. In a groundbreaking initiative, Dominica has taken its commitment to environmental conservation to new heights by establishing the world’s first Sperm Whale Reserve.

This unique effort isn’t just about protecting one of the ocean’s most intelligent creatures but also about addressing climate change, preserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable economic growth through tourism and artisanal industries like rum production.

A Storm’s Wake-Up Call

In 2017, Hurricane Maria hit Dominica hard, damaging 95% of the homes and causing destruction that would take years to repair. For Oceans Forward, a local conservation organization dedicated to protecting marine life, the hurricane wasn’t just a natural disaster—it was an existential crisis.

“Everything we had was destroyed,” recalls Jake Levenson, founder of Oceans Forward. The organization lost buildings, equipment, and the means to continue its vital work safeguarding sea turtles, coral reefs, and sperm whales that grace Dominica’s waters.

Faced with the challenge of rebuilding, Levenson fought with a harsh reality: traditional funding streams were unreliable. Philanthropic donations ebbed and flowed, and ecotourism, a primary source of income, proved fragile, especially in the wake of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enter an audacious idea: start a rum distillery.

Team Behind Rosalie Bay Distillery (Pic Courtesy: Jake Levenson)

“We have all the ingredients,” Levenson mused. “We have the fertile Caribbean island; sugar cane grows everywhere.” Many of Oceans Forward’s employees were already farmers. What they lacked was the know-how and infrastructure, a gap they were determined to bridge.

With guidance from industry experts like Jaime Windon of Lyon Rum in Maryland, and the collective effort of the community, Oceans Forward started on a five-year journey. It was a steep learning curve, costing around $4 million, funded by private foundations and 400 individual donors. But the result? The Rosalie Bay Distillery and its inaugural 781 bottles of Sperm Whale Reserve rum.

More Than Just a Spirit: Sperm Whale Reserve

The Rosalie Bay Distillery isn’t just producing rum; it’s crafting a future where conservation and commerce go hand in hand.

The distillery itself is a marvel of sustainable engineering—a solar-powered, hurricane-resistant, circular building that collects rainwater and sources from a local spring. Wastewater is treated on-site, supporting a runoff pond teeming with edible water hyacinth and freshwater tilapia.

But perhaps most inspiring is that 100% of the distillery’s proceeds fund Oceans Forward’s conservation initiatives: turtle patrols, coral restoration, and whale protection programs. Every bottle sold is a direct investment in the preservation of Dominica’s marine ecosystems.

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The Giants of the Deep: Sperm Whales

At the heart of this initiative lies the incredible sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), one of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures. These giants are not only known for their size but also for their remarkable intelligence. With the largest brains on Earth and intricate social structures, sperm whales are a symbol of the richness of life beneath Dominica’s waves.

The island’s west coast serves as a critical feeding and nursing ground for sperm whales, making it one of the few places in the world where these creatures can be regularly seen.

Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, expressed the country’s deep connection to these magnificent beings: “The 200 or so sperm whales that call our sea home are prized citizens of Dominica. Their ancestors likely inhabited Dominica before humans arrived. We want to ensure these majestic and highly intelligent animals are safe from harm and continue keeping our waters and our climate healthy.“

A Community’s Transformation

“Back in the day, people were not so keen to conserve turtles,” says Kernean George, the 33-year-old head distiller and manager of Oceans Forward’s science and conservation centre. “But once they saw that it can be a job to protect them—that it brings tourists and income for the community—they started saying, ‘Let’s protect them.'”

This shift isn’t just anecdotal; it’s a model for community-driven conservation. By providing employment and engaging locals in sustainable practices, Oceans Forward is fostering a culture where the environment and economy thrive together.

Approximately 40 sugar cane farmers have already become suppliers for the distillery, many expanding their small backyard plots to meet growing demand. The venture is not only revitalizing agriculture but also instilling pride and ownership within the community.

A Toast to Sustainability

The Sperm Whale Reserve rum is more than a beverage; it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when innovation meets purpose. Crafted from fresh sugar cane juice rather than refined sugar cane, it’s a rhum agricole with a grassy, earthy flavour—a taste of Dominica’s rich terroir.

“It’s probably one of the best rums agricole I’ve tasted,” says Simon Walsh, who runs Oceans Forward’s coral restoration program and is the resident rum enthusiast. “But you’re not really buying a bottle of rum. You’re donating to ocean conservation and getting a bottle for free.”

To truly make a lasting impact, Oceans Forward aims to sell between 7,000 and 10,000 bottles annually, each retailing at around $100. It’s an ambitious goal but one that could secure the organization’s financial sustainability and, by extension, the preservation of Dominica’s precious marine life.

“Long-term financial sustainability is not something a lot of organizations think about,” Levenson observes. Yet, it’s crucial for initiatives that require decades, if not centuries, to bear fruit. Sea turtles take 20 years to reach reproductive maturity; coral reefs can live for millennia. Conservation efforts need funding models that are just as enduring.

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A Blueprint for Others

David Meyers, executive director of the Conservation Finance Alliance, underscores the importance of such innovative funding. “Being over-reliant on one or two sources of funding is limiting,” he says. “You should really think about a portfolio of finance solutions if you’re trying to do conservation.”

Oceans Forward’s venture into rum distilling serves as a compelling case study for other organizations grappling with financial uncertainties. It challenges the traditional reliance on grants and donations, offering a replicable model that blends entrepreneurship with environmental stewardship.

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The Human Element

“You can’t have successful conservation without taking care of people, too. They are part of the ecosystem you’re protecting,” Levenson emphasizes. This holistic approach recognizes that environmental health and human well-being are inextricably linked.

For George, the transformation is personal. “When I started with Oceans Forward, there were so many things I didn’t know about turtles,” she reflects. “Now I know all the different species and where they go. I want this to succeed so we can give more people a chance to get involved. They might fall in love with conservation like I did.”

Join the Journey

As an environmental blogger, I’ve shared stories from every corner of the globe, but few resonate as deeply as this. Oceans Forward isn’t just rebuilding after a disaster; they’re reimagining what’s possible when a community comes together with a shared vision.

Their rum will soon be available online and in select liquor stores in the United States and Dominica. So, here’s an invitation: raise a glass not just to savour a fine spirit but to toast to a future where every sip contributes to the health of our oceans.

Because in Dominica, they’re proving that sometimes, the most potent solutions come in small bottles—and big ideas.

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