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 […]
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 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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
A European court has ruled that the UK has not been properly protecting its declining population of harbor porpoises, breaking its international commitments. The European Court of Justice, Europe’s top court on issues surrounding regulatory law, has said that the UK is breaking the law due to its failure to designate enough areas to keep […]
After years of delays, animal advocates are again hopeful that Canadian lawmakers will move to pass legislation banning whale and dolphin captivity. The legislation, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act (S-203), would effectively phase out captivity by banning captive breeding, imports, exports and live captures of all whales, dolphins and porpoises in Canada, […]
Animal advocates and conservationists are applauding the government of Canada for introducing a measure that will ban the capture of whales and dolphins for captivity. The measure is included in an overhaul of the Fisheries Act aimed at restoring protections for fish and their habitat. The measure will allow the minister of fisheries to make […]