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Dolphin in Brazil helping with fishing illustration

Dolphins and fishers working together

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Gray whale (eschrichtius robustus) Gray whale in Ojo de liebre lagoon Baja California.

Why we’re walking for whales to save the world

We've got enormous ambitions when it comes to fighting climate breakdown, and so two members...
Dolphins with keepers in the new Windsor Safari Park. Image: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo

Three decades on from UK’s last dolphin show, what needs to change?

The UK hasn't had captive whales and dolphins on display for 30 years, but it's...
Fishers' involvement is crucial. Image: WDC/JTF

When porpoises and people overlap

We're funding a project in Hong Kong that's working with fishing communities to help save...
Whale evolution cover

How did whales end up living in the ocean?

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Fishers chatting

Scottish fishers working with us to reduce risks to whales

Small changes to fishing gear could make a big difference to whales around Scotland, and...

Mindful conservation – why we need a new respect for nature

'We should look at whales and dolphins as the indigenous people of the seas -...
tins of whale meat

How Japan’s whaling industry is trying to convince people to eat whales

Japan's hunters kill hundreds of whales every year despite the fact that hardly anyone in...

Small fish in a BIG pond?!

It’s been over a week now since I took the ‘plunge’ and decided to enter the Banff Bay swim on behalf of WDC (https://www.justgiving.com/ruthclark). Had I known quite how hard it was going to be to even get a wetsuit on let alone swim in it, I’m not sure I would have felt quite so reassured by the prospect of wearing one. I spent a good two hours trying on various sorts and sizes (in a very hot and stuffy changing room) and after much deliberation I came out super excited to go and try it out in the sea for real, but with a little less skin on the back of my hands! I quickly realized, however, that swimming in it is a different matter altogether! And it wasn’t long before I had a very uncomfortable neck too. It certainly kept me warm though; there is no doubt about that….so much so that I’m tempted to try a swim without it?!…..I will let you know how that goes next week!

 

I have managed to fit in a couple of swims so far, each with varying degrees of confidence. The first was more of a paddle than a swim; forgetting the influence of that giant thing in the sky we call a moon! With a little more planning, the second attempt was more successful; the initial anxiety of being eaten by a shark faded away and I settled into a good rhythm, enjoying the scenery of the sea bed. Yesterday however, I was reminded of the stark contrast of the underwater world with murky water and swell making it very difficult to see and keep a direct course. It really got me thinking about what it must be like for creatures living in the water and how sound is such an important adaptation to their very existence. Noise pollution is one of the biggest threats to cetaceans and marine mammals around the world, with seismic surveys for oil and gas, pile driving for offshore construction and military sonar, affecting their ability to navigate, hunt for food and communicate with each other. Not to mention the disturbance caused by busy shipping lanes and increased boat traffic, as highlighted in the recent incident in Cornwall last week. There is a way forward though, and WDC is working hard with other organizations to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in critical and breeding and feeding grounds around the world. It’s just one of many reasons that I feel passionate about supporting the work the WDC is carrying out to improve the chances of survival for these special creatures…

 

Despite the challenges I faced this week; there was something quite magical about being in the water, surrounded by the elegant pattern of raindrops and frantic diving Tern’s just metres from my path. It felt fantastic to be so close to nature and I can’t wait to see what the next swim will hold!! Stay ‘afloat’ for the next instalment!!

About George Berry

George is a member of WDC's Communications team and website coordinator.