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WDC2023-007 NMLC Release (16)

Seal Rescued in Marshfield Released Back Into The Wild

For Immediate Release, May 31, 2023 PLYMOUTH, MA - A young male grey seal that...

Norway ups whale kill numbers and removes whale welfare protections

The whaling season in Norway has begun on the back of disturbing announcements from the...
Image taken from an unmanned hexacopter at >100ft during a research collaboration between NOAA/SWFSC, SR3 and the Coastal Ocean Research Institute. Research authorized by NMFS permit #19091.

Southern Resident orca petition to list them under Oregon Endangered Species Act advanced

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to advance a petition seeking to protect...
Hysazu Photography

WDC and Conservation Partners Continue to Seek Oregon Endangered Species Protection for Southern Resident Orcas

On Friday, April 21st, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will determine whether the petition...

Photographers fined for flying drones close to orcas

US authorities have fined two people for allegedly flying drones too close to a pod of orcas in Washington state. 

In what could well be the first case of its kind, the pair have been prosecuted after capturing footage of the ocras in the Haro Strait, just east of Vancouver Island, Canada.

Drone

The U.S. Department of Fisheries and Oceans say the pair’s drones were within nine metres of the whales when the regulation requires all vessels should be at least approximately 183 metres back. One of the operators has been ordered to pay $1000.

Canadian authorities have also backed the fine, believing the drones posed a danger to orcas, emitting disturbing levels of noise, and potential injury if a drone should fall from the sky onto the pod.

The popularity of using drones to get close-up footage of whales and dolphins has increased in recent years, but it is not clear yet what effect they have on these creatures.

More on how noise pollution affects whales and dolphins