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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...

Canada to ban capture of whales and dolphins

The Canadian government is to ban the capture of wild whales, dolphins and porpoises for theme parks as part a reforms to its fisheries legislation.

The Senate bill will prohibit live imports as well as the import of sperm, tissue or an embryo of any of these marine mammals.

There has been no live-capture of cetaceans for captivity in Canada since 1992. In recent years, however, wild-caught beluga whales and bottlenose dolphins have been imported for use in marine parks from foreign sources.

The Canadian government’s actions come as the move to end captivity around the world gathers pace in the wake of a backlash caused by the success of the documentary film, Blackfish, released in 2013.

“The public acceptance of keeping these majestic creatures in captivity has changed and we think the law should also change to reflect that,” says Fisheries Minister, Dominic LeBlanc. “We think Canadians massively support that principle.”

There are only two facilities in Canada, Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium, that currently hold whales and dolphins for entertainment. The Vancouver Aquarium recently said it would no longer display whales or dolphins  at its facility as protests over captivity have become a “distraction” for the business. The Aquarium also said it will not take injured or rescued whales and dolphins whereas the Canadian government’s new legislation will allow exemptions for injured individuals and those requiring rehabilitation.

WDC is working to establish a sanctuary for beluga whales held in captivity – read more.

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