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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...
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  • End captivity
  • Prevent deaths in nets
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Minke whale hunts stop in Iceland

Iceland’s commercial hunt of minke whales has ended for this year. The common minke whale is the...
Port River dolphins

New report reveals 100,000 dolphins and small whales hunted every year

When you hear the words ‘dolphin hunts’ it’s likely that you think of Japan or...

End the whale hunts! Icelandic fin whaler isolated as public mood shifts

Here’s a sight I hoped never again to witness. A boat being scrubbed and repainted...

Australian Government to block Japanese whaling proposal

Japanese Government officials have reportedly confirmed that they will propose the resumption of commercial whaling...

Pregnant whales once again a target for Japanese whalers

Figures from Japan's whaling expedition to Antarctica during the 2017/18 austral summer have revealed that...

Did Icelandic whalers really kill a blue whale?

*Warning - this blog contains an image that you may find upsetting* They say a...

Icelandic whalers breach international law and kill iconic, protected whale by mistake

Icelandic whalers out hunting fin whales for the first time in three years appear to...

Doubts remain after Icelandic Marine Institute claims slaughtered whale was a hybrid not a blue

Experts remain sceptical of initial test results issued by the Icelandic Marine Institute, which indicate...

Japan set to resume commercial whaling

Reports from Japan suggest that the government they will formally propose plans to resume commercial...

Norway's whaling season begins

April 1st saw the start of the whaling season in Norway. Despite a widely-accepted international moratorium...

Norway increases whaling quota despite declining demand

Norway's government has announced an increase in the number of minke whales that can be...

Icelandic fin whale hunting to resume

Iceland’s only fin whaling company, Hvalur hf,  announced today that it will resume fin whaling...

What we can do to save Southern Resident orcas

We’ve been hearing from many of you that you’re heartbroken about the loss of a newborn calf in the critically endangered Southern Resident orca community – we are, too.  It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to watch this tragedy unfold – sadness for the whales, angry at delayed action to save this unique community, anxiety that we may lose them forever.  But what we feel pales in comparison to what this family of orcas must be feeling as they watch another one of their own slip away.

As of yesterday (July 30th), Tahlequah (J35) was still carrying her dead baby, who was a female, through the waters of the Salish Sea.  As she is mourning the loss of her young, it is time for us to take action before we mourn the loss of the entire community. 

The challenges facing the Southern Resident orcas are complicated and often political.  And it can be frustrating to wait on the policy changes that will bring about protection and restoration of the ecosystem the orcas and the salmon they depend on need to survive.  But a sweeping change in policy – of how we live with and manage our salmon rivers, our coastal ecosystems, and our shared waters – is what is needed to ensure the future of this community of orcas.  Continuing with the status quo will not save the Southern Residents.  Bold, creative, and determined action from our elected leaders, communities in the Northwest, and Federal agencies is needed now more than ever, throughout the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and California, before we witness another tragedy unfold.

Here are five things you can do today to help Southern Resident orcas:

1. Use your voice

  • Submit your comment directly to the Task Force and demand that they: 
    • fully and fairly consider ALL options to protect these whales.
    • do NOT to give in to special interest groups.
    • Take immediate action to help the Southern Residents and the salmon they depend on now, including ensuring the orcas have access to the salmon currently available. 
  • Reach out to your own elected officials and ask them to oppose any harmful changes to the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which provide crucial protections to this endangered population

2. Clean up your act

  • Take steps in your home to reduce the amount of contaminants entering the watershed. 
    • switch to natural household cleaning products
    • build your own backyard raingarden to filter out pollutants.

3. Choose your fish

  • Opt for salmon other than Chinook – try pink or chum salmon that are more plentiful.  If you do buy Chinook, make sure it’s from a sustainable fishery (the best kind is caught rivers in Alaska).
  • Say no to farmed salmon.

4. Add your name

5. Engage your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, everyone! 

  • Share the story of the Southern Residents and why they’re endangered.  The more people who know and love these orcas and demand action on their behalf, the better chance we have at saving them.