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We're at COP28 to Save the Whale, Save the World.

We’re at COP28 to save the whale, save the world

Ed Goodall Ed is WDC's head of intergovernmental engagement. He meets with world leaders to...
Gray whales from drone.

We’re taking steps to uncover the mysteries of whales

Vicki James Vicki is WDC's protected areas coordinator, she helps to create safe ocean spaces...
We must protect our non-human allies. Image: Tom Brakefield, aurore murguet, johan63

We’re urging governments to protect all of our climate heroes – CITES

Katie Hunter Katie supports WDC's engagement in intergovernmental conversations and is working to end captivity...
The Natütama Foundation are dedicated to protecting endangered river dolphins. Image: Natutama

Guardians of the Amazon: protecting the endangered river dolphins

Ali Wood Ali is WDC's education projects coordinator. She is the editor of Splash! and KIDZONE,...
Amazon river dolphins. Image: Fernando Trujillo/Fundacion Omacha

Amazon tragedy as endangered river dolphins die in hot water

Ali Wood Ali is WDC's education projects coordinator. She is the editor of Splash! and KIDZONE,...
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin © Mike Bossley/WDC

WDC in Japan – Part 3: Restoring freedom to dolphins in South Korea

Katrin Matthes Katrin is WDC's communications and campaigns officer for policy & communication in Germany...
Wintery scene in Iceland

Seeking sanctuary – Iceland’s complex relationship with whales

Hayley Flanagan Hayley is WDC's engagement officer, specialising in creating brilliant content for our website...
Whaling ship Hvalur 8 arrives at the whaling station with two fin whales

A summer of hope and heartbreak for whales in Icelandic waters

Luke McMillan Luke is WDC's Head of hunting and captivity. Now that the 2023 whaling season...

Entangled Whale Watch Boat Makes National News – Entangled Whales Rarely Do

An “entangled” whale watching boat with 157 passengers on board remained at sea overnight and made national news. 

While the news originally reported that the vessel was likely snagged in lobster gear, we knew that was doubtful.  We know that large whales who get entangled in lobster gear rarely become anchored. Unfortunately, we have plenty of data to support this, including the 13 currently unresolved cases of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales entangled in fishing gear.  With only 500 right whales remaining, the loss of even one individual from human causes can jeopardize the survival of the species, yet two new cases of entanglement have already been reported this year. These entanglements can cause chronic and painful injuries. Some of these entanglements will kill the whales, but these entanglements are not making national news. We are happy that the whale watch vessel returned to Boston safely and no passenger injuries were reported.  At the same time, we hope that anyone reading about the “entangled” whale watch vessel, or those passengers that survived it, will consider the whales, whose existence depends on the reduction of this very threatWDC – NA has spent over a decade collecting data and presenting the findings collaboratively to federal policy makers to reduce and eventually eliminate this threat. Every victory has been bittersweet, because for every year it took to get a new regulation passed, at least one North Atlantic right whale died from entanglement. WDC acknowledges that no fishermen in the US is intentionally entangling whales.  Our goal is to work with fishermen, through the federally authorized Take Reduction Team process, to protect this critically endnagered species.    Support the work we are doing with a $5.00 donation.

Images collected under MMPA Research permit number 1058-1733-01 Photo credit: NOAA/NEFSC/Peter Duley

This right whale was sighted on June 29, 2014 by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Despite ongoing searches, this whale has not been relocated in order for permitted rescuers to attempt a disentanglement.  The orange noted on the whale’s body is a result of an infestation of cyamids, a sign of declining health. The line over the rostrum (face) of the whale has embedded into the whale’s head.  We believe the prognosis for this whale’s survival is poor.  Image collected under MMPA Research permit number 1058-1733-01 Photo credit: NOAA/NEFSC/Peter Duley