WDCS- NA Media Center

Mission Statement:
The global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins, porpoises and their environment.

History:                           
WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, is the worlds most active charity dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins and porpoises (also known as cetaceans). Established in 1987, WDCS is staffed by over 70 people, along with many volunteers, located in its office in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Germany, the UK and the US. This team of people is dedicated and determined to do their best for the animals and proud of the fact that WDCSs operating costs are kept to a minimum. The money raised is spent on urgent conservation, research and education projects that really do make a difference to the daily lives and long-term security of thousands of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world. WDCS North America was incorporated in 2005 and is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization.

World wide: More than 70 staff, 100 Volunteers and 150,000 Supporters and Constituents.

NEW-January 27th- Press Release WHO and FAO discuss health risk to consumers of whale, dolphin and porpoise meat-  Japan is one of the most affected coutnries.

Link to Press Releases

Link to WDCS Media Contacts

WDCS Images, Video and Audio: WDCS-NA has archived more than 100,000 images, as well as hours of video for use in research, education, and outreach. These materials are available to the press by request and must include proper credit. Please contact [email protected]  for requests.

WDCS Reports 

WDCS Programs

• Whaling
• Noise pollution
• Fisheries bycatch
• Massachusetts Lobster- Fishing the Right Way
• Responsible Whale Watching
• Whale SENSE
• Dolphin SMART
• See A Spout, Watch Out!
• Strandings
• Captivity
• Climate change
• Vessel Collisions

WDCS Accomplishments
WDCS is proud of its many accomplishments, some of which are listed below. To read more about our successes, please see our Annual Review.

• Helped save the lives of ten humpback whales with our successful campaign for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to reject a proposal from Denmark to expand Greenland’s whale hunt.
• Exposed the inconsistencies between international standards for commercial meat production and the cruel manner in which whales are hunted and slaughtered.
• Helped persuade authorities in the Dominican Republic not to import 12 bottlenose dolphins captured in lethal drive hunts in Japan.
• Helped stop plans for a new captive facility holding river dolphins in Norway.
• Helped protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales off Massachusetts by promoting the use of sinking groundline in lobster fisheries.
• Gained legislation in the US that will slow ships down in habitats important to right whales.
• Gained legislation directing the US coastguard to consider impacts on right whales before designating shipping lanes.

WDCS Appointments
WDCS represents conservation interests on a number of Federally Appointed US Teams and International Treaties including:

• Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of theBlack Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area
• Agreement onthe Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and NorthSeas
• Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction TeamAtlantic Trawl Gear TakeReduction Team
• Conservation of Migratory SpeciesConvention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
• United Nations Environmental Program

Related programs links North and Central West Atlantic