A 40-year-old ban on commercial whaling is in danger after “misleading” resolutions were put forward at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Portorož, Slovenia. The wildlife protection organisations OceanCare and Humane Society International said proposals by pro-whaling countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, could reverse progress made by the IWC. Antigua and Barbuda has submitted […]
Tag: porpoise
Dead Orca Caught in Fishing Gear Off Oregon Coast
A dead orca carcass was seen wrapped in fishing gear off the coast of Oregon, which triggered a search to recover what may be the first dead killer whale in the state. A fisherman from Salem, Oregon, posted a picture of the orca wrapped in fishing gear on iFish.com. The fisherman thinks that the orca […]
Vaquita porpoise could survive … but only if illegal fishing stops immediately
Scientists studying the DNA of the world’s smallest cetacean and rarest marine mammal, the vaquita porpoise, have made a surprising and bittersweet discovery. With a tiny population of fewer than 10 individuals left, the mammal was assumed by conservationists to be at a similar risk of harmful mutations and inbreeding as other species with small […]
Petition: End Whale and Dolphin Captivity in the U.S.
In June 2019, Canada passed The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act (Bill S-203). This law makes “it illegal to hold any cetacean in captivity, for reasons other than rehabilitation and scientific research. Breeding or trading reproductive materials of whales and dolphins will also be prohibited. Any breach of this ban carries fines […]
Nearly extinct vaquita mothers with calves spotted in recent expeditions
There may be a glimmer of hope for the extremely rare vaquita porpoise, the world’s smallest cetacean, a group that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. The vaquita is also the most threatened marine mammal in the world, nearly extinct because of entanglement in fishing nets. The latest expeditions to survey the mammal in the northern […]
TripAdvisor Will No Longer Sell Tickets to Dolphin or Whale Attractions
TripAdvisor has announced it will no longer sell tickets to major attractions that import or breed captive dolphins and whales for entertainment. This update will affect major attractions including SeaWorld. Animal activists consider this a win. TripAdvisor created an animal welfare policy in 2016 and this is its latest update. Both the company and Viator, […]
Canada’s a Step Closer to Banning Captive Whales and Dolphins
While the world continues to turn against keeping whales and dolphins in captivity, animal advocates are hopeful Canada will be next to make it illegal following a crucial vote to pass legislation that will ban the practice. The legislation, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act (S-203), would effectively phase out captivity by banning […]
Suspected totoaba poachers shot by authorities in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez
Three suspected totoaba poachers were reportedly shot yesterday by Mexican marines following a confrontation over illegal gillnets that had been confiscated. According to local news outlet Fronteras, the governor of the Mexican state of Baja California, Francisco Vega, has confirmed that three people were injured in a shootout between suspected poachers and Mexican marines early […]