New UK report calls for action on animal welfare after Brexit
A new report backed by WDC has been released today calling on the UK Government to turn words into action when it comes to the welfare of whales, dolphins and many other creatures. ‘Brexit – getting the best deal for animals’ is supported by 41 of the UK’s best-known animal welfare charities who have joined…
Read MoreCautious welcome for UK Government’s 25 year Environment Plan
The UK Government’s long awaited 25 Year Environment Plan for England was launched today and contains some optimistic comments regarding threats to whales and dolphins, but also some key omissions. Amongst a raft of ideas and proposals, the Plan contains commitments to continue to champion the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the UK,…
Read MoreDolphins and fishermen working together in Brazil
The BBC reports on how dolphins and fishermen work together to catch fish in Brazil. This kind of collaborative fishing also happens in other parts of the world. However, the use of illegal fishing nets in the area is resulting in some dolphins dying entangled in these nets.
Read MoreWDC report reveals many EU countries ignore Regulation to prevent whale and dolphin deaths in nets
On the eve of a European Parliamentary vote (worryingly led by Spain), on the incidental capture and deaths of whales, dolphins and porpoises in fishing nets, a study released today by WDC has found that the Spanish fleet and government has flouted European law to report, monitor and prevent these deaths. Incidental entanglement in fishing…
Read MoreWDC and Partner Groups demand US and Canada act to save North Atlantic right whales
Critically Endangered Whales Suffered Mass Die-off on East Coast in 2017 WDC and its conservation and animal-protection partners sought action today by the United States and Canada to prevent painful, deadly entanglements in fishing gear that threaten the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. In letters to Canadian officials and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries…
Read MoreHumpback whale dragged fishing gear for 1700km before dying
A humpback whale in Australia died on a beach in Port Macquarie in New South Wales on Sunday just hours after rescuers had removed fishing gear from its body. The whale was in poor condition and the gear was identified as having come from Tasmania, more than 1700km away. Attempts to tow the whale’s body…
Read MoreDolphins in New Zealand listed on US Endangered Species Act
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has agreed to list the Maui Dolphin as Endangered and the South Island Hector’s dolphin as Threatened on the US Endangered Species Act on October 19th. Consultation on the proposal took place last year and WDC was one of the organizations that wrote in support while at the…
Read MoreLatest UK report highlights lack of action to stop hundreds of dolphins dying in fishing nets
The latest report on the numbers of dolphins and porpoises killed in fishing nets and gear in waters around the UK reveals the estimated total caught accidentally by the UK fishing industry is still alarming high, and highlights that too little is being done to stop these unnecessary deaths. The report, released by Defra (Department…
Read MoreDolphins to be used to locate highly endangered vaquita
According to reports from Mexico, the government there is to go ahead with plans to use dolphins trained by the US Navy to try to save the world’s most endangered marine species, the vaquita. Vaquita are the world’s smallest and one of the most endangered species of whale, dolphin or porpoise on the planet. Found…
Read MoreOrcas stalk Alaskan fishermen for easy meal
Fishermen from Alaska heading for the Bering Sea are having to cope with pods of orcas feeding on their catch before it can be hauled onboard. Halibut and black cod are caught using longlines but the orcas are capable of stripping a whole line clean, sometimes just leaving the habibut lips on the hooks. Orcas…
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