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Harbour porpoise. Image: Charlie Phillips/WDC

Speaking up for the little guys – WDC in action

Whales and dolphins face so many dangers. These intelligent beings are crucial for the wellbeing...
Humpback whale fluke in Alaska.

An unforgettable first encounter – observing the whales we work to protect

I have kept a dark secret since joining WDC back in June 2021. Despite my...

WDC in Japan – Part 2: Digital dolphins

Welcome to the second chapter of my incredible journey to build alliances in Japan. As...
Amanda the intern

Meet the 2023 Interns: Amanda Eskridge

We are so excited to welcome Amanda Eskridge, our final Marine Mammal Conservation Intern of...

US Government Shut Down also Puts Endangered Whales at Risk

The U.S. woke up this morning to news that the government was shutting down, furloughing all “non-essential” federal employees including those at NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the agency which is charged protecting whales and dolphins. The NMFS is responsible for implementing both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act with programs ranging from stranding response to implementing rules to reduce ship strikes and entanglements.

Already canceled are programs designed to protect North Atlantic right whales from ship strikes.  During the shutdown, no Dynamic Managed Areas will be declared to alert ships to the presence of right whales.  NOAA’s right whale Sightings Advisory System’s website, which posts sightings in near real time, has already been removed.  While the message on the site now reads “only web sites necessary to protect lives and property will be maintained”, these lives do not include those of protected marine mammal species.