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Japanese whaling ship

Infamous whale slaughter ship docks for the final time

The whaling ship, Nisshin Maru has returned to the port of Shimonoseki for the final...
Sperm whale

Dominica announces new protections for sperm whales

Dominica has placed almost 800 square kilometers of sea off the west coast of the...
Porpoise dies after becoming entangled in fishing net

UK government rejects chance to protect whales and dolphins

The government has formally rejected almost all of the crucial recommendations made in a House...
Common dolphins © Christopher Swann

Ocean areas selected for conservation are now in danger says task force

The international task force celebrating 10 years of work mapping out Important Marine Mammal Areas...

Vancouver Aquarium’s confusing messages on captivity continue

Despite a $100 million expansion programme that will add new additional swimming space, Vancouver Aquarium’s president, John Nightingale has failed to clarify whether or not the new space will be used to house more beluga whales.  Speaking to news reporters Nightingale said that new facilities are “several years” away from completion and that there were no “firm plans” other than whales and dolphins continuing to be used to “play a vital role in engaging the public.”

His comments are in stark contrast to those made by Nightingale just a few weeks ago (February) when he told Canadian radio that the aquarium will “likely” acquire more large marine mammals. In August 2012, aquarium vice-president Clint Wright told the media that another beluga would be brought in for a new breeding programme.

The Vancouver Aquarium stopped keeping orcas in 2001. It still holds two Pacific white-sided dolphins, two beluga whales, and several porpoises.

About George Berry

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