Skip to content
All articles
  • All articles
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Green Whale
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
Fishers' involvement is crucial. Image: WDC/JTF

When porpoises and people overlap

We're funding a project in Hong Kong that's working with fishing communities to help save...

Mindful conservation – why we need a new respect for nature

'We should look at whales and dolphins as the indigenous people of the seas -...
A dolphin called Arnie with a shell

Dolphins catch fish using giant shell tools

In Shark Bay, Australia, two groups of dolphins have figured out how to use tools...
Common dolphins at surface

Did you know that dolphins have unique personalities?

We all have personalities, and between the work Christmas party and your family get-together, perhaps...
Leaping harbour porpoise

The power of harbour porpoise poo

We know we need to save the whale to save the world. Now we are...
Holly. Image: Miray Campbell

Meet Holly, she’s an incredible orca leader

Let me tell you the story of an awe-inspiring orca with a fascinating family story...
Humpback whale. Image: Christopher Swann

A story about whales and humans

As well as working for WDC, I write books for young people. Stories; about the...
Risso's dolphin at surface

My lucky number – 13 years studying amazing Risso’s dolphins

Everything we learn about the Risso's dolphins off the coast of Scotland amazes us and...

Through Act Right Now, we become "proud parents" or "cheerleaders"

In this blog, Ashley Schaffert, a Boston artist and proud new supporter of WDC shares her experiences with us.   

When I first saw the Act Right Now Campaign Kit from WDC, I knew I had to have it!    

The North Atlantic right whale holds a special place in my heart. Knowing how critically endangered they are, I always try to do my part to help protect them. I remember when I saw the right whale in the wild for the first time. I was working on a whale watch vessel out of Boston. We were just coming through the outer harbor when the boat came to an abrupt halt. When I went into the wheelhouse to see what was happening, I noticed two right whales off the port side of the boat. With all of the regulations and laws for vessels to keep away from right whales, I never thought I would ever get the chance to see one. But when these two whales popped up out of nowhere near our boat, it was a moment I would never forget. It was so unforgettable, that I had those two right whales (Shackleton and Legato) tattooed onto my arm. 

Ashley's tattoo

The campaign kit is so wonderful to have. I use my water bottle at work everyday. Sometimes people will ask about it, and that allows me to talk about the campaign to people, and educate them on right whales and the importance of their protection. The kit includes post cards for family and friends to sign, to petition the extension of the Ship Strike Rule and expand on the critical habitat. The kit also includes a tote bag that comes in handy for storage or carrying things on the go. I am an artist, so recently I have been keeping pencils, paint and paintbrushes for nice days when I like to sketch or paint outside.
campaign kit AS
It is such a great feeling to get involved in a campaign like this. Everyone has that one thing in life they are super passionate about. For me that passion is whales and marine wildlife. The North Atlantic Right Whale is such a special species. Although their populations have been on the slight rebound, they still remain one of the most critically endangered species, with fewer than 500 left on Earth. For an urban species that battles through more ship strikes, noise pollution and stress than other species of whales, you want to see them thrive. Right whales are like the underdog athletes. Through Act Right Now, we become “proud parents” or “cheerleaders” and keep fighting to protect them, because we want to see them come out on top. We want to see this species to outlive us for many generations.

I really want a happy ending for the North Atlantic right whale.
Ashley Schaffert