Skip to content
Humpback whale © Scott Portelli
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
Southern Resident whales

Ambitious plan to free captive orca Lolita announced

The new owner of the Miami Seaquarium in the US has announced that it is...

Trade sanctions announced after Mexico fails to protect near extinct porpoise

The international body behind the treaty that protects endangered plants and animals from the threats...

WDC exposes failure of Government scheme to protect whales and dolphins from net deaths

Following our investigations, we have revealed that a UK Government scheme to protect whales and...

First cases of bird flu in dolphins discovered in the UK

The UK Government has announced that two dolphins and a harbour porpoise have died from...

Humpback whale rescued from shark net in Australia

A humpback whale and her calf have managed to escape after becoming entangled in a shark net off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

In the southern hemisphere humpback whales spend the austral summer in Antarctica before migrating north during the winter months to breed and give birth in warmer waters. Their migration route takes them along the east or west coasts of Australia.

Shark nets are around 150m in length and are set in  particular locations in an attempt to deter sharks from getting close to swimming or surfing beaches. However, they do not cover the whole beach and regularly entangle other marine life. Since 2001, 82 humpbacks have become trapped in the nets.

Local conservationists have called for the nets to be removed during the whales' migration season now that alternatives, such as using drones, offer a less invasive but successful way of monitoring shark movements.

Related News

Southern Resident whales

Ambitious plan to free captive orca Lolita announced

The new owner of the Miami Seaquarium in the US has announced that it is exploring plans to release captive orca Tokitae, also known as...
Philropy card banner

Introducing the Whale and Dolphin Conservation official collectible card by Prince Hussain Aga Khan and philropy

We are happy to share that the philanthropy cards startup philropy, and environmentalist photographer Prince Hussain Aga Khan have joined forces to create the official...

Trade sanctions announced after Mexico fails to protect near extinct porpoise

The international body behind the treaty that protects endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade has announced sanctions against Mexico for its failure...

WDC exposes failure of Government scheme to protect whales and dolphins from net deaths

Following our investigations, we have revealed that a UK Government scheme to protect whales and dolphins from net deaths is a total failure and could also...

About George Berry

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

Leave a Comment