Skip to content
All articles
  • All articles
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Fundraising
  • Green Whale
  • Kids blogs
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
Hope the inflatable whale

Meet a whale called Hope

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Harbour porpoise. Image: Charlie Phillips/WDC

Speaking up for the little guys – WDC in action

Whales and dolphins face so many dangers. These intelligent beings are crucial for the wellbeing...
Humpback whale fluke in Alaska.

An unforgettable first encounter – observing the whales we work to protect

I have kept a dark secret since joining WDC back in June 2021. Despite my...

WDC in Japan – Part 2: Digital dolphins

Welcome to the second chapter of my incredible journey to build alliances in Japan. As...
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...
All articles
  • All articles
  • About whales & dolphins
  • Create healthy seas
  • End captivity
  • Fundraising
  • Green Whale
  • Kids blogs
  • Prevent deaths in nets
  • Scottish Dolphin Centre
  • Stop whaling
Hope the inflatable whale

Meet a whale called Hope

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Harbour porpoise. Image: Charlie Phillips/WDC

Speaking up for the little guys – WDC in action

Whales and dolphins face so many dangers. These intelligent beings are crucial for the wellbeing...
Humpback whale fluke in Alaska.

An unforgettable first encounter – observing the whales we work to protect

I have kept a dark secret since joining WDC back in June 2021. Despite my...

WDC in Japan – Part 2: Digital dolphins

Welcome to the second chapter of my incredible journey to build alliances in Japan. As...
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...

We’re so close to winning protected areas in Scotland’s seas

It’s been eight years since we formally asked the Scottish government to protect the marine areas that Risso’s dolphins, minke whales and other species use to feed and to raise their young around Scotland’s stunning and wild coastline. And finally, here we are! These areas where the dolphins bring their new born calves, and where whales feast on herring and sandeels, are finally facing the stamp of approval.

Risso's dolphin

It’s blowing a gale here on the Isle of Lewis, where we are waiting for the weather to improve so we can get out to sea to reacquaint ourselves with and photograph the Risso’s dolphins my colleague Nicola and I have been studying here for the last decade. We have learnt so much about these amazing dolphins in those 10 years – who hangs out with who, how often they are around and when they like to return.  We have learnt just how important this small corner of the world is for them.

So please take part in this consultation response. It's so important that the government knows that we support these special areas for Risso’s dolphins, minke whales and other marine species that rely on Scottish waters.

We submitted all the scientific evidence in 2011, and demonstrated huge public support, even back then. And we have been patiently waiting since then for this critical moment in history. With the help of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit, and data collected by our amazing volunteer Shorewatchers, we provided the evidence and lobbied the government to protect these sites.

The work is not done yet. We have to convince the Scottish government that Risso’s dolphins, basking sharks, minke whales and sand eels need to ‘recover’ and we need to see robust and enforceable management measures in place to truly protect them from the full range of human pressures that they face. That is the next step and we will be asking for your help again then, because we are in this together – for the future of the whales and dolphins who rely on Scotland’s seas being safe and clean.

Play your part

Have your say in the public consultation, it's quick and simple to do

Leave a Comment