Our 2024 IMMP Accomplishments

By Mark J. Palmer

Freeing Captive Orcas to a Seaside Sanctuary

IMMP pressed hard for two captive orcas, Wikie and her son Keijo, being held in concrete tanks at Marineland Antibes, to be relocated to the Whale Sanctuary Project’s seaside sanctuary being built in Nova Scotia. The appointed French Inspector General recently made a landmark recommendation that the best possible outcome for these whales is to move them to a sanctuary and determined the Whale Sanctuary Project’s seaside refuge is the best place. Now the final decision rests with the French Ministry as to whether the mother orca and her son will make it to a sanctuary or be exported to another captive facility outside of France to face dismal lives in concrete tanks. But chaos in French elections is delaying a decision. IMMP’s Director, David Phillips, sits on the Board of the Whale Sanctuary Project. IMMP organized letters to the French government from 28 environmental organizations and another from explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, Dr. Sylvia Earle, and Dr. Jane Goodall. Sign the petition!

Protecting Dolphins in the Western and Central Pacific

Our Dolphin Safe Tuna team this year increased focus on the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, by far the world’s largest source of tuna. There still are some fishing practices used that are harmful for whales and dolphins and need to be changed. This year, we undertook a 4-month negotiation with one of China's largest tuna companies and succeeded in reaching an unprecedented agreement for use of required practices to protect dolphins and whales and meet all requirements for Dolphin Safe tuna -- a powerful step forward!

Holding the World’s Worst Plastic Polluters Accountable

IMMP is part of a major suit filed by Earth Island Institute against Coca Cola, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, and other consumer goods companies. This year, a California judge ruled that our claims are viable and can proceed to trial. We aim to hold these companies accountable for immense public harm caused by their plastic pollution ending up in waterways and the ocean.

Fighting for the Survival of North Atlantic Right Whales

Thanks to a generous donation from an IMMP supporter, we just launched a new outreach campaign in Maine to confront the entanglement of Right Whales in ropes from lobster and crab fishery traps. Atlantic Right Whales are at risk of extinction and without stronger protection will not survive.

Keeping Keiko’s Legacy Alive

The New York Times Serial Podcast, one of the top-rated, and most-listened-to podcasts in the world, launched a six-episode series called “The Good Whale.” It tells the story of the orca Keiko’s amazing odyssey from a tank back to his ocean home and features the lead role that IMMP played in the rescue and release of the first and only captive orca ever returned to his home waters. You know Keiko from starring in the hit movie Free Willy. Our historic Keiko effort and multi-faceted campaign to end orca confinement and exploitation play a major role in changing worldwide public attitudes against the cruel capture and captivity of whales and dolphins. This year we also created a new educational Free Willy/Keiko Discovery Kit.

Additional Campaigns

Taiji Dolphin Slaughter

In 2004, when IMMP began our Save Japan Dolphins Campaign, 1,752 dolphins were captured in the notorious Cove. Last season (2023-24), Taiji captures were estimated at 824 dolphins, a dramatic 53% decline. It is uncertain if the hunts can continue at such low numbers, especially as sales of live dolphins have declined since the COVID pandemic. Too many dolphins are still dying in Taiji. IMMP is working closely with Japanese activists to end the hunts.

Dolphin Safe Tuna

IMMP has certified 852 tuna companies, in 77 countries. which have pledged to adhere to Dolphin Safe fishing protocols established by IMMP. We estimate that our program includes 90% of the world’s tuna industry. Last year, IMMP conducted 504 audits of tuna facilities around the world. Our program saves the lives of approximately 90,000 dolphins annually from deaths in tuna fishing nets.

Barataria Wetlands Lawsuit

IMMP joined a lawsuit with local oyster fishers and NGOs to stop the Army Corps of Engineers’ massive Barataria Sediment Diversion scheme. It threatens several endangered species, the local population of bottlenose dolphins, and the saltwater environment of the Barataria wetlands near New Orleans. The case is expected to go to trial next year.

SWIMS Act Promotion

IMMP promoted the SWIMS Act in Congress, helping obtain Congressional co-sponsors. Due to gridlock in Congress, the SWIMS Act will need to reintroduced in 2025. The SWIMS Act would phase out captivity of orcas, beluga whales, false killer whales, and pilot whales in the US.

Iceland’s Fin Whaling

IMMP played a prominent role in pushing the government of Iceland to end commercial whaling of the rare fin whale. Sadly, Iceland’s government issued permits this summer, but fortunately, the whaling company did not actually go whaling. The government recently issued five year permits to the whalers, although the legality of the move is in question. Eating whale meat is neither traditional nor popular in Iceland. Opposition to whaling is growing in Iceland, where a slim public majority opposes continuing the slaughter of fin whales for export to Japan. IMMP is working with Icelandic activists to block new whaling permits.

UN Plastics Treaty Negotiations

IMMP contacted and encouraged delegates negotiating the United Nations Plastics Treaty to include restrictions on plastic fishing gear that entangles marine mammals. More than 200 delegates individually received our request, along with copies of IMMP’s report: The Plastics Plaque: Marine Mammals and Our Oceans in Peril. Unfortunately, the negotiations are hung up by opposition from the plastics and oil industries. Our efforts will continue until a strong and binding agreement is established.

IWC Scientific Committee Report on Taiji Dolphins

In 2024, IMMP further publicized a report, filed with the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) Scientific Committee, documenting declines of several species of dolphins in Taiji’s catch data, suggesting a decline in local dolphin populations being depleted by the bloody hunts.

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IMMP has made important progress on behalf of marine mammals in 2024. The new year will present major challenges, which with your help, we will strategically address. Together we can improve the lives of whales and dolphins and their ocean habitats. Please donate today! Thank you for your support.