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
Fin whale

Short and cruel hunt season ends in Iceland

The shortened Icelandic fin whale hunts season has finished with a final total of 23...
This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller cuts on its back and head, broken ribs, and bruising. Photo: FWC/Tucker Joenz, NOAA Fisheries permit #18786

Emergency Right Whale Petition Seeks Overdue Protections From Vessel Strikes

This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller...
Pilot whale

How we need to support Faroese communities to end the whale and dolphin hunts

Hayley Flanagan Hayley is WDC's engagement officer, specializing in creating brilliant content for our website...
two-bottlenose-dolphins-breaching

Landmark report reveals UK wildlife’s devastating decline

With whales and dolphins already facing many threats, a landmark report released this week reveals...
dolphin-oil-rig-cp

Go ahead for new UK oil and gas exploration threatens whales and dolphins

Permission has been granted for the development of the UK's biggest untapped oilfield off Shetland,...
Harbour porpoise. Image: Charlie Phillips/WDC

Speaking up for the little guys – WDC in action

Whales and dolphins face so many dangers. These intelligent beings are crucial for the wellbeing...
whaling_iceland

Whaling boat kept in port after more hunt cruelty exposed

Icelandic whale hunting fleet One of the whaling boats involved in the latest hunts in...
cephalorhynchus_commersonii-wdc

New Important Marine Mammal Areas added to global ocean conservation list

Commerson's dolphin Experts from a number of countries have mapped out a new set of...

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.

Every whale and dolphin - safe & free

There are 3 vital ways that we are fighting for the survival of whales and dolphins.

Together we can:

Japanese whaler with harpoon hunting minke whales

Whaling and captivity

Whales and dolphins should live free and healthy lives.

Humpback whale tail in Antarctica

Why whales and dolphins matter

Whales play a vital role in the health of the marine ecosystem and the planet.

man attempting to free common dolphin from fishing gear

Create safe seas

Vessels and fishing gear accidentally harm over 650,000 marine mammals each year