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Fishers' involvement is crucial. Image: WDC/JTF

When porpoises and people overlap

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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

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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...

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!