After screening "Where the Whales Sing" at the university library, I present the President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fenandez, with a copy of "Whale Song: Journeys into the Secret Lives of the North Atlantic Humpbacks" and a copy of the DVD "Where the Whales Sing" at the Presidential Palace. To my left is Prof Idleisa Bonnelly de Calventi, President of FUNDEMAR, and to the left of her is Dr Syliva Earle. Behind the President is the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources

The ever amazing Dr Earle taking notes before our dive on a wreck just outside Santa Domingo and with a big smile after yet another dive, around her 7,000th!

Above left, Dr Sylvia Earle on the right, and myself on the left 60 feet down and on the surface after our dive. Photo by Gustavo Torreira

Above, outside the impressive library of the university and inside the 400-seat auditorium.

Above, some of the enthusiastic students. I have to admit that these were the best students I have ever come across. They asked good questions, were interested and engaged, and self-confident

Below, with the moderator of the panel discussion after the screening of the film, from left to right, Oswaldo Vasquez, Marine Consulting and Technology (ATEMAR), Prof Idelisa Bonnelly de Calventi, me and William, my outstanding translator

Above right, presenting a copy of "Whale Song" to Idelisa after the screening of "Where the Whales Sing". Professor Idelisa Bonnelly de Calventi was responsible for the setting up of the Dominican Republic's Marine Mammal Sanctuary 25 years ago.This was also her 80th birthday!

On the steps of the Presidential Palace after the screening of "Where the Whales Sing" and lining up with Professor Idelisa Bonnelly de Calventi, Dr Sylvia Earle, the Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, and the President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez

Above left, Oswaldo Ravelo and Omar Ramirez Fejada, Secretary of State, Executive Vice-President and Minister of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development. Above right I present the book "Whale Song" to the President of the Dominican Republic. The film "Where the Whales Sing" was translated with Spanish sub-titles by Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting collaboration between organizations in the United States and the Dominican Republic in order to conduct research, enhance public understanding, design public policies, devise strategies, offer capacity building and foster exchange in the areas crucial for the social, economic and democratic development of the Dominican Republic, Caribbean and Latin America.