Plans for UK’s first dolphin and porpoise conservation strategy launched

Plans for the UK’s first Conservation Strategy for dolphins, whales and porpoises have been launched in what we hope will be a significant step towards better protection for these marine mammals in the future.

The UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and the Northern Ireland Executive, have collaborated on the consultation, which sets out measures to protect nine of the most common dolphin, whale and porpoise species found in UK waters.

A range of threats to them have been identified where further research or additional management measures could help to improve their lives. These include the impacts of pollutants, plastics, underwater noise disturbance and entanglement in fishing gear.

WDC attended and contributed to the early draft of the Strategy, and if the final version has robust recommendations for managing the threats these creatures face each day, and is properly funded, it should help dolphins, porpoises and minke whales throughout UK waters in years to come.

Once we have had time to see and review the Strategy in full we will be asking you to add your voice and respond with WDC to a public consultation on the plan in May. We need to keep pressing for governments to take action to tackle threats to whales, dolphins and porpoises such as death in nets, increasing noise pollution and also for appropriate management of wildlife watching vessels.