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Stop UK dolphins, porpoises and whales dying in fishing gear

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Protect UK dolphins, porpoises and whales

What's the problem?

Thousands of dolphins, porpoises and whales die in fishing gear every year in UK seas. This is known as 'bycatch'.

Most of the protection they have comes from the EU. But, after Brexit they might not even have that.

What then? Even more could die. We need to keep them safe.

Like us, whales and dolphins can’t breathe underwater. Trapped in a net, they will panic, just like you would. Many endure terrible wounds and broken bones as they try to escape. When they can’t struggle any more, they will close their blowhole and suffocate.

Now is the time to stop this suffering.  We need the governments of the UK to make sure effective laws are in place to protect dolphins, porpoises and whales in UK seas after Britain leaves the EU.

Getting these laws in place is not going to be quick. We will need public support at each step of the way. Can we count on you?

Together we need to:

  1. Keep up the pressure on the UK government to ensure that once we leave the EU, we have strong laws in place to protect the dolphins, porpoises and whales who live around our shores..
  2. Work with technology experts and the fishing industry to find safer ways to fish.
  3. Make sure that fishing is properly monitored and deaths are reported.

 

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Dead dolphin in a French driftnet

The Story so far

We're working hard to get proper protection from fishing gear at both UK and EU levels

Sarah Dolman at petition handover

75,000 of you signed our petition and we presented it to UK Fisheries Minister, George Eustice at the Houses of Parliament. He promised action to tackle dolphin, porpoise and whale deaths in fishing nets and gear.

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To stop dolphins, porpoises and whales dying a horrible death in fishing gear in our seas we’re going to need strong laws.  We have been instrumental in working up legislation and need to ensure the government adopts it.

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Thousands of you emailed your MEPs to urge them to vote for better protection at EU level. What's decided in Europe will form the basis of our UK laws after Brexit. Thank you for your action!

Latest News

This porpoise washed up in Dorset after dying in a fishing net © CSIP-ZSL

Norway takes action to save porpoises from death in nets

22nd February 2021
In what the government describes as a rapid regulatory change, fishers in parts of Norway will now be required to attach the small acoustic transmitters...
Common dolphin with injuries from fishing net

WDC highlights how UK Government can save a dolphin a day

18th February 2021
Based on recent figures, it is estimated that around 1,000 porpoises, hundreds of dolphins and tens of whales suffer and die in UK fishing gear...
A dolphin trapped in a fishing net

We need less talk more action from UK governments on tackling dolphin and whale deaths in fishing gear

24th November 2020
Our petition called for strong UK laws after Brexit to stop dolphins, porpoises and whales dying in fishing nets and gear. More than a thousand...

Tragic tale of the UK orcas facing extinction

22nd September 2020
If you watched David Attenborough’s Extinction: The Facts, you’ll have heard the tragic account of the group of orcas known as the West Coast Community....

We've achieved a lot together

We got the UK government to commit to tackling bycatch.

Now we are at the table helping to shape government action.