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New government marine wildlife code to help reduce dolphin disturbance

The launch today by UK Government of new guidance on how to act responsibly around...

UK government to extend ivory ban to stop the sale of orca teeth

Following the UK ban on the import, export and dealing of elephant ivory in 2022,...

Dead whale beauty products to be sold in Japanese vending machine stores

Antarctic minke whale alongside Japanese whaling ship. Photo © Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert Japanese whale hunting company,...

Arrests made following illegal whale meat smuggling from Japan to South Korea

Customs authorities in Busan, South Korea, have arrested six people for allegedly smuggling at least...

Rare whales may get protection after oil drilling go-ahead

A rare and unique population of Bryde’s whale that live in the Gulf of Mexico may be awarded greater protection after US authorities opened up a small area of their habitat in the DeSoto Canyon off the Florida Panhandle for oil drilling operations.

Even though Bryde’s whales are found in tropical waters across the globe, this population is thought to be genetically separate. The whales were only recently discovered and there are thought to be maybe less than 50 or so in the group.

As well as the potential for pollution, increased noise and collisions with boats also pose a threat to the whales. Last month, the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced it was considering giving the whales endangered or threatened status. If the whales are granted this new recognition, regulators would need to establish critical habitat protection and take further measures to consider their conservation needs them before any drilling-related activities could start.

Bryde's whale

About George Berry

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