WDCS in the North East Atlantic

The North Atlantic is an extremely diverse marine environment, covering an enormous stretch of ocean that extends from the tip of Africa to Iceland, Scandinavia and the frontier of the Arctic Circle. WDCS has been studying dolphin and porpoise populations off the western coastline of the UK to address chronic problems of cetacean bycatch in European fisheries.

Bycatch is considered one of the most serious threats to dolphin and porpoise populations in the North East Atlantic area. Marine pollution, noise pollution, habitat destruction, and competition with fisheries are further dangers.

The extent of the threat to dolphins and porpoises in the ASCOBANS area is dramatically illustrated by the decline in the population of harbour porpoises in the Baltic Seas. The harbour porpoise is the most common cetacean species in the North Sea and the only native cetacean inhabiting the Baltic.

In addition to WDCS's significant commitment to ASCOBANS, WDCS's historical contribution to this region has included conservation projects to protect:

• Risso's dolphin and harbour porpoise off west Wales and off the Isle of Mull, west Scotland;
• Orca , Norway;
• Sperm whale, Norway;
• Bottlenose dolphin off the Moray Firth in Scotland, UK, also off Cornwall and West Wales, UK; and
• Harbour porpoise, Cardigan Bay in Wales.

WDCS's current major campaign in the UK is:

Protect Our Dolphins

The Myth Of 'Whales Eat Fish' The Whalers are increasing turning to spurious arguments to justify their dying industry. In Iceland, government scientists tasked with supporting whaling are using ecosystem-based management arguments to support their hunts. 2008-May-10

WDCS Dolphin And Seal Centre WDCS's dolphin and seal centre at North Kessock, near Inverness, is open during the summer months. You may see dolphins as well as the seals and other wildlife that the area is renowned for. 2008-April-02

Cetaceans And Pelagic Trawl Fisheries The Western Approaches of the English Channel are intensively trawled by pelagic fisheries during the winter and early spring from October to May. These fishing activities coincide with relatively high levels of cetacean strandings. 2008-March-26

WDCS Wildlife Centre The WDCS Wildlife Centre is based on the southern shore of the Moray Firth in Scotland. It is the perfect place to find about the amazing wildlife of this area, including the world famous bottlenose dolphins. 2008-February-26

New Laws Now Britain's seas are home to over 40,000 species - 50% of the UK's wildlife. This includes many species of whales and dolphins and one species of porpoise, as well as deep sea fish, sharks, cold water corals, anemones and more. 2008-February-26

UK Campaigns Over twenty species of whales, dolphins and porpoises live in or visit UK seas. However, damaging fishing practices, chemical and noise pollution, industrial developments and disturbance continue to threaten already vulnerable populations. 2008-February-26

Noise Pollution Shipping, marine industries and military activities around the world are introducing powerful, loud noise into the oceans. 2008-February-25

Baltic And North Seas The serious threats facing whales, dolphins and porpoises of the North East Atlantic, including the Baltic and North Seas, are many. 2008-February-20

Stop Bloody Whaling A new threat to the world-wide ban on commercial whaling is looming. For years, Japan, Norway and Iceland have tried to overturn the moratorium on commercial whaling that was imposed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986. 2008-February-20