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A Baby Humpback Whale Plays Near the Surface in Blue Water

New report by Deloitte and WDC does a deep dive into the opportunities for businesses in embracing oceanic biodiversity

Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) and Deloitte have released a new report that shines a...

Dead whale beauty products to be sold in Japanese vending machine stores

https://au.whales.org/2023/05/12/dead-whale-beauty-products-to-be-sold-in-japanese-vending-machine-stores/

Arrests made following illegal whale meat smuggling from Japan to South Korea

Customs authorities in Busan, South Korea, have arrested six people for allegedly smuggling at least...

New report on Icelandic hunts reveals whale can take two hours to die

Fin whale with unexploded grenade harpoon embedded in his or her side. © Hard To...
All policy news
  • All policy news
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Stop whaling
  • Strandings
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...

Minke whale hunts stop in Iceland

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Did Icelandic whalers really kill a blue whale?

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

Norway's whaling season begins

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

SOS alert for whales off Norway!

I have to admit to bitter disappointment when I arrived in Tromsø, northern Norway, a...

Icelandic fin whale hunting to resume

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

WDC and Clarity launch local Urban Beach Clean initiative to tackle plastic pollution

Leading marine wildlife charity, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is celebrating the New Year by launching an online initiative to increase Urban Beach Cleans –  local area litter picks  that reduce the huge amount of plastic that makes its way from our urban areas to the coastline, and then into the ocean. 

Up to 95% of the litter in the oceans actually comes from our cities, making its way to the sea through rivers, drains and waterways. Once it reaches the sea, it doesn’t disappear but breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic that are easily eaten by fish and other marine species, including whales and dolphins.

The new initiative is part of WDC’s existing ‘Plastic is #NotWhaleFood’ project supported by TV presenter, Julia Bradbury and BBC Springwatch’s Michaela Strachan. #NotWhaleFood, raises awareness of the dangers of plastic waste to marine life, along with practical actions to inspire people to make positive changes.

Local people interested in getting involved can now go online at notwhalefood.com/urban-beach-clean to source information and advice on running their own cleans with friends, neighbours or colleagues, or at school or university. WDC provides a free starter pack containing a guide, collection bags, gloves, and even a free tote bag and #NotWhaleFood T-shirt for the first 25 people to sign up.

The development of the Urban Beach Clean website is supported by Clarity Environmental, a UK organisation providing ethical and sustainable solutions that help businesses comply with environmental regulations. 

It features an interactive map, allowing people to register existing events and find upcoming litter picks in the local community. After the event, urban beach cleaners can also submit their photos to an online gallery inspiring others to keep our beaches and countryside free of waste.

“Having carried out Urban Beach Cleans with some of our partners and corporate supporters over the last few months in locations including Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Brentford, we’ve been staggered at just how much plastic waste there is littering the streets, parks and waterways in our local communities,” says WDC’s partnerships manager, Abbie Cheesman.

“New Year is traditionally a time where many people make positive resolutions for the year ahead and we’re calling on people to make tackling plastic pollution in the local area their resolution for 2019. It doesn’t matter whether it’s just you and your dog, or a whole office, group or class – every single piece of plastic you remove from your local area is one that won’t end up in the ocean. Remember, plastic waste can contribute to the death of a whale or dolphin or, if you eat fish, may even make its way on to your plate one day”.

“We are so delighted that Clarity Environmental has chosen to support our Urban Beach Cleans. Their generosity has meant that people up and down the country will soon be receiving free litter picking equipment and support organising their own Urban Beach Cleans, which has a positive impact for marine wildlife”.

Michaela Strachan WDC patron, said: “The amount of plastic making its ways into our seas and oceans is terrifying and has severe consequences for marine life now and in the future. It’s heartbreaking to see pictures of whales and dolphins washing up on shores around the world because of the amount of plastic they have ingested – yet this is a totally avoidable problem.”

David Honcoop, managing director at Clarity Environmental, said: 

“Having worked within the packaging industry since the start of our business, it means a lot to be supporting WDC with a campaign that is aimed at protecting our oceans and marine life from the impacts of plastic pollution. 

Whether living by the coast or inland, it is vital that we all take responsibility for where our discarded litter ends up when we are finished with it. Plastic pollution is a complex issue and one that can only be tackled with wide-scale involvement from industry, decision makers and the public. By working together we can be part of the solution, and Urban Beach Cleans are one way we can all make a difference.”

To sign up and organise an Urban Beach Clean or to join your nearest event, visit https://notwhalefood.com/urban-beach-clean. Alternatively, search for #NotWhaleFood or #UrbanBeachClean on social media.