Skip to content

Policy

Support our work to end captivity.

Help us make a difference to the lives of captive whales and dolphins around the world.

Latest policy developments

All policy news
  • All policy news
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Prevent bycatch
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Stop whaling
  • Strandings
Orca Lulu's body contained PCB levels 100x above the safe limit. Image: SMASS

Toxic tides, troubled whales: the toll of chemical pollution

In last week's blog, we examined the challenges whales and dolphins face as they travel...
Lolita the orca

Lolita the orca dies after half a century in captivity

Orca Tokitae (also known as Lolita) has sadly died of suspected renal failure after many...
Group of orcas at surface

Breaking barriers for whales and dolphins at the Convention of Migratory Species

Many species of whales, dolphins and porpoises undertake long journeys, encountering human-made obstacles along the...
Marine Animal Rescue and Response Program with sperm whale

Final days of the internship: Kaylee McKenna

Final days of the internship: Kaylee McKenna I never knew how quickly three months could...
Vaquita. Photo Thomas Jefferson

Scientific Committee gives first ever official species extinction warning

Photo: Thomas Jefferson We have welcomed the urgent call by experts to protect the vaquita...
Tokyo

WDC in Japan – Part 1: Finding allies in Tokyo

At the end of May, I embarked on an incredible journey to Japan on behalf...
blue whale

Ancient whale may have been heavier than blue whale

Scientists examining the bones of a 39 million-year-old ancient whale have concluded that it may...
WDC2023-022 Level A (46)

Rare sperm whale strands on South Shore in Massachusetts

Rare sperm whale strands on South Shore in Massachusetts On Saturday, July 29, a sharp-eyed...

Our successes

End captivity

Stop whaling

Create healthy seas

Prevent deaths in nets

Upheld ban on commercial whaling

Greater protection for Hector's dolphins

Reducing fishing gear threat to right whales

Whale meat no longer moved through EU ports

Marine protected area created in Bangladesh

UK commits to reduce death in nets

Marine protected area created in Antarctica

US import of captured beluga whale stopped

Speed limit for ships along the US east coast

Harbour porpoise homes protected in UK

Online whale meat sales stopped in Japan

World's first beluga whale sanctuary

We work with partners from all sectors to secure a future where whales and dolphins are safe and free.

Pellentesque porta convallis sem. Vivamus id leo tellus. Duis urna lorem, faucibus in tellus sed, eleifend venenatis nisi. Donec sagittis diam ac ornare pretium. Integer a bibendum lacus.

Every whale and dolphin - safe & free

There are 4 vital ways that we are fighting for the survival of whales and dolphins.

Together we can:

orca whale with its mouth open being fed at seaworld

End captivity

Whales and dolphins have a right to live free and healthy lives. These highly intelligent individuals should not suffer for human entertainment.

Japanese whaler with harpoon hunting minke whales

Stop whaling

Commercial whaling is illegal. And yet, every year, Japan, Norway and Iceland kill around 1,500 whales.

Humpback whale tail in Antarctica

Create healthy seas

Commercial fishing, oil and gas drilling, and shipping are threatening the lives of whales and dolphins.

man attempting to free common dolphin from fishing gear

Prevent deaths in fishing gear

Thousands of whales and dolphins are accidentally killed in fishing gear every year.