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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...

UK man admits to eating dolphin

A man in Cornwall who regularly eats animals that have been killed by traffic (road kill), is potentially facing prosecution after admitting to eating dolphin meat. He is intending to eat a casserole at Christmas made from the remains of a common dolphin he found dead stranded on a beach.

However, under UK law it is illegal to be “in possession of part or a whole” of a protected species including a dolphin. Penalties include up to six months in prison or an unlimited fine if convicted. 

Dolphins also fall under the seldom used Royal Prerogative for Fishes Royal.

Regardless of the legal position, eating the meat would be very unwise. Dolphins can carry diseases which are transferable to humans, and are usually taken away by local authorities to be buried in landfill.

Whales and dolphins can also be heavily contaminated. Pilot whales, for example often carry high levels of mercury. Anyone who does come across a dead whale or dolphins should contact the UK Strandings Hotline.


About George Berry

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