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Dolphin in Brazil helping with fishing illustration

Dolphins and fishermen 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...

WDC meets Volvo Ocean Race

One of the programs I spend a lot of my time working on is our sailing outreach program Sharing the Seas: Safe Boating for Sailors and Whales. The overarching goal of this program is to empower sailors to use safe boating practices to reduce disturbances and injury to whales, as well as to their sailing crews. Since its launch in 2016, we have provided workshops for yacht clubs, presented at conservation and sailing conferences, and provided information for a number of competitive sailing races. As someone who had never set foot on a sailboat until last summer, I have certainly learned a lot about sailing in the past couple years!

One Ocean Exploration Zone

The international Volvo Ocean Race is our latest project for Sharing the Seas. The seven teams competing in the race left Alicante, Spain in October and arrived in Newport, Rhode Island earlier this week. Since Newport is one of America’s most famous sailing hubs and a short distance from WDC’s North American office, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for some education and outreach! During their stopover in Newport, WDC will be reaching sailors of all ages, as well as the general public, through our exhibit at the Race Village May 12-20th. We are joining nearly 30 other exhibitors at the One Ocean Exploration Zone who are promoting sustainability and conservation in our oceans. 

The Volvo Ocean Race has a huge international following and we are excited to be working with various sailing organizations to participate in this event. Time will tell, but I think the large inflatable whale we will have at the race village will be a huge draw. If you or anyone you know is attending, we should be easy to spot…. Make sure you come by and meet Rocky, get a hand stamp, and learn about safe boating for sailors and whales!