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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...

What do you wish for whales and dolphins in 2017?

Well 2016, you’ve been eventful. Now, let’s face the new year with hope. Bring it on 2017 and we’ll each play our part in making good and positive things happen.

So, what do we want from 2017? What do you wish for whales and dolphins in the year ahead?

I’ve been asking my colleagues at WDC and made a simple wish-list. Just a few ambitions that aren’t on the scale of world peace, but are wishes that, with your support, we really could make come true. Add your whale and dolphin wishes in the comments section below and, together, let’s see how many we can put a great big tick against in 2017. When we all work together, it’s amazing what we can achieve.

I asked our CEO, Chris Butler-Stroud what he wishes for and he said,

“I wish that in 2017, people start to realise that ‘save the whales’ is no longer just a slogan, but something we have to do if we are to protect this planet and ourselves”.

Our End Captivity team said, “we wish that in 2017:

  • at least one more UK holiday company will stop selling trips to SeaWorld and other places that hold whales and dolphins captive.
  • no orcas will be captured in Russia.”

Our Stop Whaling team said, “we wish that in 2017:

  • the EU will refuse to enter into a Free Trade Agreement with Japan while Japan kills whales.
  • no fin whales will be killed in Iceland.”

Our End Bycatch team said, “we wish that in 2017:

  • English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh governments will commit to putting national laws in place, after Britain leaves the EU, to protect whales and dolphins from dying in fishing nets in UK waters
  • gillnets will be banned in the northern Gulf of California to save vaquitas from extinction.”

Our Homes for Whales and Dolphins team said, “we wish that in 2017:

  • Germany will protect harbour porpoises as it is obligated to do under the EU Habitats Directive
  • New Zealand will protect Maui dolphins and save them from extinction.”

These aren’t pie-in-the-sky wishes. These are all achievable. Will you make a donation to help make them happen?

Thank you for your support in 2016. I look forward to sharing our joint successes with you in 2017. Share your wishes below and let’s make 2017 a turning point for whale and dolphin protection.

Oh and if you haven’t already, sign up to our e-newsletter to get our monthly round-up of whale and dolphin news delivered to your in-box.

I wish you a very happy New Year on behalf of everyone at WDC!