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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...

New Zealand High Court reverses plan to mine in endangered dolphin habitat

Following public outcry and representation from environmental groups, including WDC, the Wellington High Court in New Zealand has reversed a previous decision by the country’s Environmental Protection Authority allowing up to 50 million tonnes of iron sand to be mined from a 66sq km area off the South Taranaki Bight for a 35 year period.

The area concerned was inside the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary, an area established to protect the critically endangered Māui dolphins.

There are fewer than 60 Māui dolphins left and we must do everything we can to protect them. The decision to allow the mining could have pushed them even nearer to extinction. However, the High Court decided that the method of environmental management involved in the mining plan was illegal.

WDC HAS BEEN RUNNING A CAMPAIGN, reminding Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern that the New Zealand government made an election promise to protect these iconic, indigenous and critically endangered dolphins.  News of the court’s ruling is a very positive step. Even exploratory mining under the water creates a considerable risk of disturbance for this very vulnerable group of dolphins.

Māui dolphins.

HELP US SAVE THESE ENDANGERED DOLPHINS