Whale conservation

Government of Canada announces new policies that support ending the captivity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 17, 2021
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Fisheries protection, Conservation biology, Marine mammal, Marine conservation, Marine Mammal Regulations, Government, Biology, Natural environment, Whale conservation, Marine Mammal Protection Act

Canadians do not want to see these sentient creatures behind glass for their entertainment, and over the past three years our government has worked to amend policies and legislation to end these practices in Canada.

Key Points: 
  • Canadians do not want to see these sentient creatures behind glass for their entertainment, and over the past three years our government has worked to amend policies and legislation to end these practices in Canada.
  • Thank you to all the Canadians who participated in our online consultation process to inform and strengthen our actions going forward.
  • Through these amendments, as well as our protective measures and ongoing marine conservation work, we will ensure that marine mammals can live safe and free in Canadian waters.
  • "\nFisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for the conservation and protection of Canada\'s marine resources, including wild marine mammals, as set out in theMarine Mammal Regulations.

Most Vessels Ignored Voluntary Slowdown Meant to Protect Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 22, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Whale, Right whale, Marine mammal, Animal rights, North Pacific right whale, Whale conservation

At least 33 North Atlantic right whales have died since 2017, 21 of them in busy Canadian waters.

Key Points: 
  • At least 33 North Atlantic right whales have died since 2017, 21 of them in busy Canadian waters.
  • The report, The Edge of Extinction, outlines the plight of one of the most endangered marine mammals on the planet, with only about360 North Atlantic right whales left, and highlights steps the federal government must take to protect the remaining few and help ensure the species survival.
  • North Atlantic right whales are in crisis.
  • We know that slower speeds can help save right whales: the slower the vessel, the higher the likelihood of a whale surviving a collision.

Government of Canada outlines its 2021 measures to protect North Atlantic right whales

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Whale, Right whale, Beluga whale, Killer whale, Whale watching, Whale conservation

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 18, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada remains committed to protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 18, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada remains committed to protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
  • Last season is proof that by working together, we can effectively protect North Atlantic right whales while also continuing to put high quality, sustainable seafood on dinner plates in Canada and around the world."
  • For the fifth consecutive year, we are implementing vessel traffic management measures for the 2021 season which incorporate evidence-based research and innovative tools to safeguard the North Atlantic right whales.
  • Budget 2018 included a $167.4 million Whales Initiative to help protect and support the recovery of endangered whale species in Canada, notably the North Atlantic right whale, the Southern Resident killer whale, and the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga.

World Animal Protection Supports New Whale Heritage Sites

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Biology, Branches of biology, Cetaceans, Animals, Cetacea, Animal welfare, Whale, Dolphin, Animal rights, Dolphinarium, Whale conservation

This is a global accreditation scheme developed by the World Cetacean Alliance and supported by the global charity World Animal Protection.

Key Points: 
  • This is a global accreditation scheme developed by the World Cetacean Alliance and supported by the global charity World Animal Protection.
  • World Animal Protection is promoting responsible wild animal watching experiences as a humane alternative to attractions that keep whales and dolphins in captivity for tourist entertainment.
  • World Animal Protection encourages people to always consider responsible tourism when traveling and to make sure to ask tour operators about their animal welfare policies.
  • With more than 3,500 cetaceans currently in captivity globally, World Animal Protection hopes Whale Heritage Sites will help shift tourism towards more ethical practices to make this the last generation of cetaceans in captivity.

Data from space could help protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Cetaceans, Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Right whale, Endangered species, Whale, Whale conservation, Moira Brown

By bringing together the top Canadian minds and satellite data, the smartWhales initiative will explore new techniques to further detect, monitor, and ultimately protect the North Atlantic right whale in Canadian waters."

Key Points: 
  • By bringing together the top Canadian minds and satellite data, the smartWhales initiative will explore new techniques to further detect, monitor, and ultimately protect the North Atlantic right whale in Canadian waters."
  • "The North Atlantic right whale is endangered and we must take every step possible to save them.
  • "Our government continues to invest in the protection of the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
  • The North Atlantic right whale is endangered; there are approximately 366 remaining in the world.

International Marine Mammal Project: Prominent Global Citizens Urge Russia to Free the "Whale Jail" Whales in Their Home Waters

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2019
Cetaceans, Mammals, Vertebrates, Whale, Balaenidae, Animal rights, Apex predators, Whale conservation, Whaling in the Faroe Islands

Such an action would prevent the horrible situation playing out in the Far East from happening ever again.

Key Points: 
  • Such an action would prevent the horrible situation playing out in the Far East from happening ever again.
  • We would like to ask you to take several important steps for the welfare of the remaining whales in the sea pens.
  • We cannot stress enough that the lives of these whales are in danger, and they need immediate help.
  • Thank you again for all that you have done, and please take action to protect these magnificent Russian whales!

DroneBlocks and Ocean Alliance partner to improve the SnotBot project for Whale conservation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Ocean Alliance, Humpback whale, Whale conservation, Whale, Mammaliaformes, Biota, Natural environment

Rather than collecting biological samples by manually biopsying whales, Kerr saw the use of drones as a non-invasive way to gather the data needed for whale conservation.

Key Points: 
  • Rather than collecting biological samples by manually biopsying whales, Kerr saw the use of drones as a non-invasive way to gather the data needed for whale conservation.
  • "Ocean Alliance and DroneBlocks have a shared mission of education and drone software development," Dennis Baldwin, founder of DroneBlocks explains.
  • His team helped Ocean Alliance quickly build an open-source app (available on Github) for SnotBot with DJI's SDK that uses an algorithm to detect wind direction and display this information to Ocean Alliance pilots.
  • Ocean Alliance expects to take the new technology into the field next February to study Humpback Whales in the Dominican Republic.

IFAW: Minke whaling in Iceland has stopped

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 27, 2018
Animal welfare, Economy of Iceland, Whaling in Iceland, Mammaliaformes, Minke whale, Whaling, Whale watching, Whale conservation, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Whale, Whaling in Japan

"This is very good news for minke whales and for Iceland," said Sigursteinn Masson, Iceland Representative for IFAW , the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Key Points: 
  • "This is very good news for minke whales and for Iceland," said Sigursteinn Masson, Iceland Representative for IFAW , the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
  • "Ending minke whaling will have a very positive impact on the far more economically viable industry of commercial whale watching."
  • It is the lowest number of whales hunted in Iceland since the recommencement of commercial whaling in 2003.
  • IFAW's successful campaign against minke whaling in Iceland was done with understanding and respect for both Iceland and its people, and through the building of alliances within the country that focus on what is best for Iceland and for whales."

Immediate calls to end commercial whaling as genetic testing confirms whale harpooned in Iceland was rare hybrid

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 20, 2018
Mammaliaformes, Biota, Economy of Iceland, Whaling in Iceland, Biology, Fin whale, Whaling, Animal rights, Whale conservation, Blue whale, Whale, Whaling in Japan

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Conservationists are calling for an immediate end to commercial whaling in Iceland after genetic testing revealed a whale harpooned in Icelandic waters earlier this month was a rare blue/fin whale hybrid.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, July 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Conservationists are calling for an immediate end to commercial whaling in Iceland after genetic testing revealed a whale harpooned in Icelandic waters earlier this month was a rare blue/fin whale hybrid.
  • The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which opposes all commercial whaling, has repeatedly called on Loftsson and Hvalur hf to end whaling operations immediately and permanently.
  • Experts at Iceland's Marine Research Institute, which undertook genetic analysis to determine the species, have now confirmed it was indeed a blue/fin whale hybrid, the offspring of a female blue whale and a male fin whale.
  • Blue whales, the largest whale species on the planet, have been protected under international law since 1966 as populations have been nearly decimated by commercial whaling.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Dalhousie University launch interactive map to help protect North Atlantic right whales

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Balaenidae, Endangered animals, Mammaliaformes, Baleen whales, North Atlantic right whale, Biota, Right whale, Whale, Whale conservation, North Pacific right whale

The map displays near real-time whale detection information provided by various partners who contribute airborne, vessel and acoustic glider detections of the North Atlantic right whale.

Key Points: 
  • The map displays near real-time whale detection information provided by various partners who contribute airborne, vessel and acoustic glider detections of the North Atlantic right whale.
  • "The Government of Canada is determined to ensure navigational safety while protecting the North Atlantic right whales.
  • "This new mapping tool provides an incredibly innovative way to gather the data we need to help protect the North Atlantic right whales.
  • Surveillance efforts will help inform decisions on measures specific to the shipping and fishing industries to help protect North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.