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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...

Breaking News: Saving whales is an important part of our economy

A new study, published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, concluded that marine stewardship plays a significant economic role, surpassing even some commercial fisheries and watching whales, well known economic drivers.

The study quantified the value of donations and volunteer time of 45 marine conservation organizations based in Massachusetts including Whale and Dolphin Conservation, North America and found: 

  • Marine stewardship and conservation activities contributed $179 million in a single year to the economy of Massachusetts surpassing the commercial harvest of finfish ($105 million) and whale watching ($111 million).
  • The economic value of environmental stewardship activities are frequently overlooked, ultimately harming coastal ecosystem management decisions and local economies.
Economic value of marine activitiesPrevious work evaluating the economic value of whales has typically been tied only to whale watching and not to the important work of saving whales. This study reinforces that conservation organizations are both environmental and economic drivers and need to be sustained.

“Whales play a role in helping to create a healthy ocean ecosystem on which we rely to breathe, to eat, and to fight climate change” said Regina Asmutis-Silvia, WDC-NA executive Director “and now we have confirmation that the work WDC does to protect whales not only has a direct and significant benefit to whales and the environment, but also to the economy.” 

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