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This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller cuts on its back and head, broken ribs, and bruising. Photo: FWC/Tucker Joenz, NOAA Fisheries permit #18786

Emergency Right Whale Petition Seeks Overdue Protections From Vessel Strikes

This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller...
Icelandic hunting vessels in port

Whaling boat kept in port after more hunt cruelty exposed

Icelandic whale hunting fleet One of the whaling boats involved in the latest hunts in...
Commerson's dolphin

New Important Marine Mammal Areas added to global ocean conservation list

Commerson's dolphin Experts from a number of countries have mapped out a new set of...
Fin whale shot with two harpoons

Whalers kill just days after Iceland’s hunt suspension is lifted

Whalers in Iceland have claimed their first victims since the lifting (just a few days...

Results of sperm whale strandings in Germany released

Results from investigations into the sperm whale strandings in Germany in February have revealed that the whales died from heart (cardiovascular) failure after beaching on the shoreline.  Without support from the water, the sheer weight of the whales crushed their lungs and other organs, leading to death. 

Nearly 30 sperm whales stranded in the UK, France, Netherlands and Germany at the start of the year, but it is still not clear why these whales got into difficulty in the first place.

Large amounts of plastic waste were also found in the stomachs of the sperm whales, including fishing nets, parts of a plastic bucket and even a plastic car cover. Although not the direct cause of death, vets suspect that the whales would soon experience major health problems as a result of this toxic waste. 

This is an alarming insight into the state of our seas. Only today, British beach clean studies were released in the UK showing a 43% increase in plastic bottles found on UK beaches – 160 plastic bottles for every mile of coastline cleaned last year.

You can read more about the problems of plastic in the current WDC magazine.

More on strandings