Policy protects marine mammals before they strand.
While scientific data can identify threats to marine mammals, reducing these threats requires changes in practices and policies. For more than 20 years, WDC’s team of experts has advised government managers, worked with industries, and given a voice to marine mammals in the Halls of Congress. Our team develops long term solutions through the development of strong coalitions and strategic campaigns. At the same time, we are nimble and reactive to rapidly changing cultural, funding, and political climates.
Stakeholder Appointments
WDC’s experts are federally appointed to take reduction teams to find solutions to accidental entanglements and bycatch.
Coalition Building
WDC co-founded the Orca Salmon Alliance and is an active member of the Marine mammal Protection Act coalition.
Expert testimony
Our highly skilled and experienced staff brings first-hand knowledge to elected officials in Washington, DC.
The Impact
- Federal designation of nearly 40,000 square miles of critical habitat for North Atlantic right whales.
- Prevented import of beluga whales from the Sakhalin Bay-Nikolaya Bay-Amur river stock for captivity.
- Fortified protections of Southern Resident Orcas through listing them as endangered in Oregon.
- Reduced vessel strikes to endangered whales by up to 90% through a seasonal speed rule.
- Advanced the development of on-demand fishing gear to nearly eliminate entanglements.
- Created safety training programs for recreational and commercial boaters.
- 25 peer reviewed journal collaborations to advance marine mammal science that led to conservation.
Latest policy developments
- All policy news
- Create healthy seas
- End captivity
- Prevent bycatch
- Prevent deaths in nets
- Stop whaling
- Strandings
Proposed Marine Mammal Protection Act Revisions Gut Protections for Marine Mammals
Protecting people and the planet through policy
Intervention Sought to Protect Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales from Deadly Vessel Strikes
Fact-checking the recent congressional hearing on the MMPA and ESA
Right Whale Vessel Strike Protections Sought Nov. 1
Career chat with Melissa – a passion for policy
Vessel strike technology workshop
Conservation groups continue bid to lift stay in right whale vessel speed rule case
We work with partners from all sectors to secure a future where whales and dolphins are safe and free.
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