Help protect Scottish whales, dolphins and porpoises

Image from WDCS.

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) have reported that the Scottish government is creating a network of protected areas for Scotland's marine life, although this is good news there is a risk that whales, dolphins and porpoises will not be included in this protection.

 

Please add your name to this petition calling on the Scottish government to make sure that vulnerable whales, dolphins and porpoises are included in the marine protected areas.  The petition will close on 16th April 2012 so please do try and sign it before then.

Countdown to Christmas #2

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I am the proud owner of a donkey and a seal, although the seal doesn't live in the bath and the donkey isn't grazing in the garden but technically I have adopted them.  My adoption of Oscar the donkey was a birthday present from my Mum as part of the Adopta Donkey scheme at Elisabeth Svendsen’s Trust for Children and Donkeys; Kitto the seal was a Christmas gift from my Mum and the Gweek Seal Sanctuary. 

As part of adopting Oscar I receive a regular newsletter about how Oscar is getting on, as well as a certificate, birthday and Christmas cards and the option of popping along to the Sanctuary to visit him if I arrange an appointment.  My sister adopted Donk Dean from the same Sanctuary as Oscar so for my birthday one year we all went to visit them and it was lovely.

My Nan adores whales and dolphins so one year I adopted a dolphin called Whiskey for her, she received a video of Whiskey as well as a certificate and newsletter.  She was thrilled to bits with it and I think she was seriously considering making room in her bath for him!

It really is a fantastic idea to sponsor or adopt an animal for an animal lover this Christmas (maybe even treat yourself!), as well as spreading joy to the receiver - the gift of sponsorship or adoption can make a huge difference to the life of the animal.

Many organisations run sponsorship or adoption schemes which all offer something different depending on your preference.  For more information I recommend the following links:

World Wildlife Foundation (WWF)

Born Free

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)

Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

London Zoo

Dudley Zoo (or your local zoo)

Dogs Trust

Cats Protection League

RSPCA

Always make sure you buy your adoption or sponsorship directly from the animal organisation concerned to ensure your money is going to the right place.

I would love to hear from any of you that do decide to adopt or sponsor an animal this Christmas.

Seasons Greetings!

The latest on Whaling

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WDCS reports back after the International Whaling Commission:

At the end of July the US government announced that it is recommending that trade sanctions be imposed on Iceland over its commercial whaling activities. 

President Obama now has until mid September to make a decision.  There are still things we can do to help...  Click here to contact President Obama asking him to make the right decision, remember to let your friends know too.

Good News from HSI

During the 63rd meeting of the International Whaling Commission Japan withdrew its proposal to conduct commercial hunts in its coastal waters, which is fantastic news!

Please remember to take the action above and share with your friends, thank you!

Whaling Round Up

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This year's International Whaling Commission takes place this month and it is an ideal opportunity for our friends at WDCS International, IFAW and HSI to plead with the US government on behalf of the wales.  Representatives from 89 countries (both pro whaling and pro whale protection) gather in Jersey for this meeting.

News from WDCS

WDCS is currently asking for signatures on a petition which urges the US government to impose sanctions on Iceland for its out of control whaling.  So far, 200,000 people have protested leading WDCS to expect an announcement from President Barack Obama's administration at some point soon.

Please add your name to the protest here.

What about the EU?

WDCS is working to ensure that if Iceland joins the EU, it must give up whaling.  The Dutch and German parliaments have already passed resolutions making Icelandic whaling a "zero tolerance" issue. 

News from HSI

At the top of the IWC agenda is whether to create an ocean sanctuary for whales in waters neighbouring the Caribbean.  Unfortunately, four Caribbean island nations continue to vote against protecting whales each year, thus voting against a proposition that would be both a blessing for the whales and their own region.

Please click here and enter a few details to write to these nations asking them to support the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary.


News from IFAW

IFAW reminds us that Japan, Iceland and Norway continue to kill hundreds of whales.  Japan slaughters three different species of whales under a disguise of "scientific research".  Iceland and Norway are harpooning hundreds of minke whales and defying the global ban on whaling.  These three countries will target over 1,700 whales this season.

IFAW are encouraging government officials to join the global consensus for the conservation of whales.  More pressure is needed though so they are asking us to tell the UK Government to take action in order to end whaling.

Following these links and entering a few details can really make a difference, please remember to spread the word.  Thank you.

Good News about Whaling in the Antarctic

 

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It's a pleasure to share the following great news with you!

Japan has called its Antarctic whaling fleet home which means there will be no more whaling there this year!  Last season 507 whales were killed and in comparison 172 whales have been killed this year.  It would be ideal if no whales were killed but at least this is progress as this could have huge impact on the future of Antarctic whaling.  For WDCS's complete article have a look here.

Whales in the North are still a target for whaling fleets belonging to Japan, Norway and Iceland so we do need to keep the pressure up.  If you can spare some time to visit the WDCS site, they have prepared an e-mail for you already which you can send to the US government asking them to take action.  Click here to send. 

Remember to tell your friends...

Help the Australian Government with a big decision

A while back I posted about the Australian government being on the verge of a big decision regarding the creation of the largest network of marine protected areas in the world.  If you have not yet taken action on this please click here to be taken to a readily prepared e-mail to The Hon. Tony Burke, Minister For Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population And Communities.  It will take less than two minutes for you to fill in a few details and hit send, this action could help save the lives of whales, dolphins and other marine life.  The WDCS is reporting that over 5,000 supporters have protested already but the more the merrier!

Do you have a few spare seconds?

 

I've received an alert from the WDCS informing me that in a few weeks the Australian Government will be making a big decision to create the largest network of marine protected areas in the world, this is critical habitat for over 50% of the worlds whales and dolphins.  

Australia has one of the largest marine territories in the world accommodating a large variety of fish, sharks, whales and seals who live in the continent’s submerged mountain ranges, deep sea canyons and reefs. These waters provide refuge for the blue, humpback, and southern right whales, as well as bottlenose, spotted and striped dolphins.  At the moment they are unprotected and the oil and fishing industries are attempting to undermine moves to increase protection.

The Government's decision will set the standard of protection that will then be applied to the rest of Australia’s waters for the next 10 to 20 years.

Australia is asking for International help to ensure the decision goes the right way.  Please take a few seconds to click here and send a readily prepared e-mail to The Hon Tony Burke, MP and Minister for the Environment.

Thank you!

WHALING BAN STAYS!

After two days of talks in Agadir - Moscow, delegates from the IWC were unable to agree on a proposal which would see commercial whaling being legalised. Therefore the ban still stands. However, Japan, Iceland and Norway continue whaling outside the IWC sanctions.

Despite presentations by pro-whaling advocated the majority were not convinced by their arguments that killing whales via commercial whaling was acceptable. It has also been rejected that quotas be given whilst the ban still stands. (Quotas meaning the amount of whales killed)

Australia and the Latin America countries were clear in their opposition and after weeks of uncertainly the EU took a strong position and rejected the proposed deal but is still willing to negotiate. The pro-deal advocates did not push their proposal to a vote so they didn’t risk being publicly rejected.

WDCS anticipated further discussions but calls on the world to realise that the old world view of whaling is over. Nicolas Entrup the spokesperson for WDCS in Agadir says “We now call on governments to work together to ensure the moratorium is implemented fully and effectively ending commercial, and so-called scientific whaling, which have no place in the 21st century. WDCS believes that the IWC has a strong future, but not one that legitimizes this cruel, unmanageable and unnecessary industry.”

The IWC meeting now continues and will now be looking at agenda items including a demand from Denmark that Greenland is allowed to expand it’s hunt to include 10 humpback whales per year.

WDCS Report
IFAW Report