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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...

More important ocean areas for whales and dolphin protection identified

IMMA Map

Scientists and observers from many different countries have identified and mapped 36 new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), from northern Mexico to the southern tip of Chile.

IMMAs are essentially portions of ocean important to marine mammal species that have the potential to be set aside for conservation management.

The addition of the latest 36 important areas brings the number of IMMAs worldwide to 209.

If we can identify and create areas that help protect whales and dolphins then we can help create a healthier ocean, and a healthy ocean helps fight climate breakdown.

Nearly half of the world’s 132 marine mammal species—whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions and sea otters – live or pass through the 36 recently mapped areas.

The IMMA initiative is a partnership between Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the IUCN Joint SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, and the Tethys Research Institute.

‘We have now surpassed 50% of the world ocean which has been considered for IMMA identification,’ said Erich Hoyt, WDC research fellow and co-chair of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force.

‘We now have a total of 209 IMMAs which can be used as a tool in marine spatial planning and for conservation measures by governments, intergovernmental organisations, conservation groups, and the general public.’

Read more about why IMMAs are important here

 

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