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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...
All policy news
  • All policy news
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Stop whaling
  • Strandings
Sperm whale © Douglas Hoffman

Featured policy news item

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc magna elit, gravida at lectus vitae,...
sea_world_orlando_rob_lott

Holiday giant Thomas Cook stops selling tickets to Seaworld and Loro Parque

Holiday giant Thomas Cook stops selling tickets to Seaworld and Loro Parque Following a three...

Endangered Southern Resident orca loses newborn calf

In heartbreaking news from the Pacific Northwest, the Center for Whale Research has reported that...
srkw_shoup_2003_text

U.S. Defense Bill weakens protections for whales

24 July 2018, Plymouth, MA: The FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act conference report was released...

Doubts remain after Icelandic Marine Institute claims slaughtered whale was a hybrid not a blue

Experts remain sceptical of initial test results issued by the Icelandic Marine Institute, which indicate...
f0k5103-2

Did Icelandic whalers really kill a blue whale?

*Warning - this blog contains an image that you may find upsetting* They say a...
iron_gate_dam_klamath

One step closer to more salmon for endangered Southern Resident orcas

On June 28, 2018, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) filed “The Definite Plan” for...
monodon_monoceros-wdc3

Narwhals and Bowhead whales threatened by new Arctic shipping routes

A NASA-funded study has warned that marine creatures like whales and dolphins will be exposed...
japanese_whaling_2005_-_minke_whales_credit_jeremy_sutton-hibbert_for_use_until_28.2.17_1

Japan set to resume commercial whaling

Reports from Japan suggest that the government they will formally propose plans to resume commercial...
hvalfjordur_035

Iceland flouts international ban to slaughter first protected fin whale of new hunting season

Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf has slaughtered an endangered fin whale today in defiance of...
l92_dave_ellifrit_cwr

Southern Resident orca L92 missing as community returns to the Salish Sea

We are very sad to share news announced today by the Center for Whale Research...
whale_alert_flag_san_juan_county

New actions in the Northwest to help Southern Resident orcas and salmon

As the Washington State Task Force starts to examine threats to the endangered Southern Resident...
All news
  • All news
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Corporates
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Green Whale
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
  • Stranding
  • Whale watching

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...
All policy news
  • All policy news
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Stop whaling
  • Strandings
Sperm whale © Douglas Hoffman

Featured policy news item

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc magna elit, gravida at lectus vitae,...
sea_world_orlando_rob_lott

Holiday giant Thomas Cook stops selling tickets to Seaworld and Loro Parque

Holiday giant Thomas Cook stops selling tickets to Seaworld and Loro Parque Following a three...

Endangered Southern Resident orca loses newborn calf

In heartbreaking news from the Pacific Northwest, the Center for Whale Research has reported that...
srkw_shoup_2003_text

U.S. Defense Bill weakens protections for whales

24 July 2018, Plymouth, MA: The FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act conference report was released...

Doubts remain after Icelandic Marine Institute claims slaughtered whale was a hybrid not a blue

Experts remain sceptical of initial test results issued by the Icelandic Marine Institute, which indicate...
f0k5103-2

Did Icelandic whalers really kill a blue whale?

*Warning - this blog contains an image that you may find upsetting* They say a...
iron_gate_dam_klamath

One step closer to more salmon for endangered Southern Resident orcas

On June 28, 2018, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) filed “The Definite Plan” for...
monodon_monoceros-wdc3

Narwhals and Bowhead whales threatened by new Arctic shipping routes

A NASA-funded study has warned that marine creatures like whales and dolphins will be exposed...
japanese_whaling_2005_-_minke_whales_credit_jeremy_sutton-hibbert_for_use_until_28.2.17_1

Japan set to resume commercial whaling

Reports from Japan suggest that the government they will formally propose plans to resume commercial...
hvalfjordur_035

Iceland flouts international ban to slaughter first protected fin whale of new hunting season

Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf has slaughtered an endangered fin whale today in defiance of...
l92_dave_ellifrit_cwr

Southern Resident orca L92 missing as community returns to the Salish Sea

We are very sad to share news announced today by the Center for Whale Research...
whale_alert_flag_san_juan_county

New actions in the Northwest to help Southern Resident orcas and salmon

As the Washington State Task Force starts to examine threats to the endangered Southern Resident...

WDC and Clarity launch local Urban Beach Clean initiative to tackle plastic pollution

Leading marine wildlife charity, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is celebrating the New Year by launching an online initiative to increase Urban Beach Cleans –  local area litter picks  that reduce the huge amount of plastic that makes its way from our urban areas to the coastline, and then into the ocean.

Up to 95% of the litter in the oceans actually comes from our cities, making its way to the sea through rivers, drains and waterways. Once it reaches the sea, it doesn’t disappear but breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic that are easily eaten by fish and other marine species, including whales and dolphins.

The new initiative is part of WDC’s existing ‘Plastic is #NotWhaleFood’ project supported by TV presenter, Julia Bradbury and BBC Springwatch’s Michaela Strachan. #NotWhaleFood, raises awareness of the dangers of plastic waste to marine life, along with practical actions to inspire people to make positive changes.

Local people interested in getting involved can now go online at notwhalefood.com/urban-beach-clean to source information and advice on running their own cleans with friends, neighbours or colleagues, or at school or university. WDC provides a free starter pack containing a guide, collection bags, gloves, and even a free tote bag and #NotWhaleFood T-shirt for the first 25 people to sign up.

The development of the Urban Beach Clean website is supported by Clarity Environmental, a UK organisation providing ethical and sustainable solutions that help businesses comply with environmental regulations.

It features an interactive map, allowing people to register existing events and find upcoming litter picks in the local community. After the event, urban beach cleaners can also submit their photos to an online gallery inspiring others to keep our beaches and countryside free of waste.

“Having carried out Urban Beach Cleans with some of our partners and corporate supporters over the last few months in locations including Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Brentford, we’ve been staggered at just how much plastic waste there is littering the streets, parks and waterways in our local communities,” says WDC’s partnerships manager, Abbie Cheesman.

“New Year is traditionally a time where many people make positive resolutions for the year ahead and we’re calling on people to make tackling plastic pollution in the local area their resolution for 2019. It doesn’t matter whether it’s just you and your dog, or a whole office, group or class – every single piece of plastic you remove from your local area is one that won’t end up in the ocean. Remember, plastic waste can contribute to the death of a whale or dolphin or, if you eat fish, may even make its way on to your plate one day”.

“We are so delighted that Clarity Environmental has chosen to support our Urban Beach Cleans. Their generosity has meant that people up and down the country will soon be receiving free litter picking equipment and support organising their own Urban Beach Cleans, which has a positive impact for marine wildlife”.

Michaela Strachan WDC patron, said: “The amount of plastic making its ways into our seas and oceans is terrifying and has severe consequences for marine life now and in the future. It’s heartbreaking to see pictures of whales and dolphins washing up on shores around the world because of the amount of plastic they have ingested – yet this is a totally avoidable problem.”

David Honcoop, managing director at Clarity Environmental, said:

“Having worked within the packaging industry since the start of our business, it means a lot to be supporting WDC with a campaign that is aimed at protecting our oceans and marine life from the impacts of plastic pollution.

Whether living by the coast or inland, it is vital that we all take responsibility for where our discarded litter ends up when we are finished with it. Plastic pollution is a complex issue and one that can only be tackled with wide-scale involvement from industry, decision makers and the public. By working together we can be part of the solution, and Urban Beach Cleans are one way we can all make a difference.”

To sign up and organise an Urban Beach Clean or to join your nearest event, visit https://notwhalefood.com/urban-beach-clean. Alternatively, search for #NotWhaleFood or #UrbanBeachClean on social media.