Science: Top news
A recent analysis by scientists, adopted by the IWC Scientific Committee, shows what many opponents of the Taiji dolphin hunts have feared -- the hunts are depleting several dolphin species along the coast of Japan, leading the dolphin hunters to go after other species, while still killing the depleted species.
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Sometimes whales and dolphins don't stay in the ocean, but come up on shore. Why do they do this, as individuals and sometimes as whole pods of animals? There are many reasons, but too often such strandings end in tragedy.
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Few people have had as much impact in protecting and studying whales as Dr. Roger Payne. Roger died last week, and those of us who knew him will miss his support, his counsel, and his zest for life.
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A new study, based on interviews with fishermen, estimates that 2% of plastic fishing gear (nets and lines) is lost every year in our oceans. Some of this gear winds up continuing to entangle fish, marine mammals, and other marine life.
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No one is better known in the whale research community than Ken Balcomb. He died last December 15th, leaving a lasting legacy of orca and whale research, conservation advocacy, and his many students and friends.
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Our oceans are being saturated with human-caused noise. There can be great harm to dolphins, whales and other marine life from various sources of intense noise in our oceans from oil exploration and drilling, military sonars, ship traffic, and other sources.
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It’s often difficult to empathize with tragedies that occur far from home. We frequently fall into the bystander role. But as the effects of climate change worsen and become more visible, we cannot afford to continue following a behavior chain of ignorance and disengagement.
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The International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute helped develop and is consulting on a lawsuit against SeaWorld (Anderson v SeaWorld), contending that the mega corporation has been deliberately lying to the public about the health and welfare of their orcas in captivity. SeaWorld is being called-out on these lies, as never before, because of the groundbreaking legal battle we’ve been waging on behalf of captive orcas for more than five years! Usually SeaWorld bullies their way through litigation. They’re a multi-billion dollar company and pay multiple aggressive hired-gun attorney teams to do their bidding. But this time, all five of SeaWorld’s attempts to have the case, Anderson v SeaWorld, dismissed have been denied. Their efforts to further delay and drag out the case and keep scientific expert witness reports sealed by the court and kept secret, are crumbling.
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As 2019 comes to a close, we’re writing to thank you for your ongoing generosity and to share some of IMMP’s key accomplishments this year. 2020 promises to be an especially busy and potentially productive year for whales and dolphins, as our SeaWorld lawsuit finally comes to trial and we organize Olympians and Paralympians to urge Japan to end the killing of dolphins and whales.
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Usually SeaWorld bullies their way through litigation. They’re a multi-billion dollar company and pay multiple aggressive hired-gun attorney teams to do their bidding.
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Campaign Top News
- International Marine Mammal Project >
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Global warming is helping enhance El Niño, the warming of the Pacific Ocean, to such an extent that it causes global weather changes -- drought in some places; heavy rainfall and flooding in others. Whales will suffer these changes, which weaken oceanic food chains and reduce food production for whales.
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From pushing for sanctuaries for Wikie & Keijo and 30 beluga whales, to opposing attempts to gut the Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts, to protecting wetlands in the Barataria basin, the International Marine Mammal Project has accomplished a great deal in 2025 for whales and dolphins.
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What is it like being a student intern at the International Marine Mammal Project? An internship can be life-changing for a student. Our intern Jillian talks about her experience with IMMP.
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- Save Japan Dolphins >
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Dolphin captures in Taiji, Japan, occurred on the first of Sept. Now follows 6 months of slaughter and capture of dolphins in the notorious Cove. Our colleague Kunito Seko documented the opening catch of bottlenose dolphins, all destined for a miserable life in captivity.
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The Taiji dolphin drive hunts have again ended, killing hundreds of dolphins for meat after removing "show quality" animals for a miserable life in captivity. Numbers were slightly higher this year for slaughter, although historically low compared to recent years.
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Three species of dolphins have been captured and slaughtered over the past month as the bloody Taiji dolphin drive hunts continue. Most of the dolphins you see in these photos are now dead. The hunts end on March 1st, but six months later, they will begin again.
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- Dolphin + Whale Project >
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The Trump administration has weakened the US Endangered Species Act through a series of regulatory changes, many of which are in conflict with the clear language of the ESA. Lawsuits have been filed to counter these regulations, but courts are slow, and the regulations need to be removed.
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A terrible "permit reform" bill now pending in the US Senate would gut the Endangered Species Act, impact protections for endangered right and gray whales, encourage data centers, and block local action to prevent development projects. Contact your Congressmembers!!
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The Army Corps of Engineers planned to channel fresh water and sediment into the Barataria wetlands for 50 years, threatening wildlife and fisheries, including a population of bottlenose dolphins. Our lawsuit is at an end, and the project is dead. Read our blog.
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- Keiko Whale Rescue >
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30 beluga whales were left in Marineland, Canada, and the government allowed them to go to several parks in the US and one in Spain. So far, five of the "rescued" belugas have died, and more are likely to die soon. Captivity for whales and dolphins needs to end!
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Like most cetaceans, beluga whales do poorly in captivity. Many are now kept in aquariums around the world -- some get stranded once the aquarium or park goes broke and shuts down. Learn about the beluga whale, and why it is a bad idea to keep them in small concrete tanks.
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We are deeply saddened at the death of orca whale Tokitae. Calls for her release were denied for decades and it’s shameful that she never got a chance to go home.
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- Dolphin Safe Fishing >
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The US is now the biggest importer of seafood in the world, but the sustainability of many of the fisheries involved is highly questionable. The experience with the Dolphin Safe tuna label can help form better monitoring and protection for fish populations, as well as protect non-target species like marine mammals.
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Every year, we estimate that the Dolphin Safe label on tuna cans saves the lives of 90,000 dolphins annually in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, and many more in other oceans of the world. You, as a consumer, should know how the Dolphin Safe label works to protect dolphins in global tuna fisheries.
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A new Marine Mammal Protection Act has been proposed for the Philippines, with strong support from our IMMP Philippines office, with the support of Representative Co. Read about this new legislation to protect endangered species like the Irrawaddy dolphin and other Filipino whales and dolphins.
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- Freeing Orca Whales from Captivity >
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IMMP opposed the transfer of belugas from Canada's Marineland to US aquariums. This so-called "rescue" has resulted in 30 belugas being moved to marine parks, but one has already died at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. How many more will the captivity industry kill?
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Thirty belugas in a closed park in Canada are scheduled to be sent to five aquariums in the US and Spain. IMMP is demanding a better review of their health before moving them and a ban on breeding them in captivity. Read our letter.
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The orcas Wikie and her son Keijo are still trapped in Marineland in France. Marineland wants the orcas to go to Loro Parque Zoo, an aquarium in Spain with one of the worst records of captive orca deaths. IMMP is urging the French government to instead retire Wikie and Keijo to a seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia.
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- Freeing Wikie & Keijo >