This region is one of three that are likely to face the most acute effects of climate change. Cetacean interactions with fishing fleets in the South Pacific Ocean (specifically tuna) are now receiving greater attention and bycatch remains a significant issue in the southeast Pacific.
A CMS regional agreement for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region now covers this region and a vast region spanning between the Tropic of Cancer and 60 degrees South latitude and between 130 degrees East longitude and 120 degrees West longitude making it the largest (by area) comprehensive whale and dolphin protection agreement in the world.
WDCS is committed to working with the agreement towards real on-ground tangible results to bring dolphin interactions with fisheries to an end and the impacts of noise pollution to be reduced. We can look for an end to the drive hunts in the region and aim for a future where no dolphin captures take place for public display in captivity. Together this threat mitigation can make a difference to literally thousands of animals.
WDCS's historical contribution to this region has included conservation projects to protect:
WDCS Australasia
WDCS Species Programme
WDCS Securing Regions with CMS Programme
Help us save whales and dolphins
Whaling Ban Stays In Place!
After two days of closed-door discussions by delegates at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting, the moratorium (ban) still stands but Japan, Iceland and Norway may continue to whale outside of the sanction of the IWC.
2010-June-24
Whaling Conference Starts Amidst Scandal, Corruption And Secrecy
WDCS Press Statement: The now secret meeting is discussing the highly controversial proposal to resume commercial whaling behind closed doors.
2010-June-21
WDCSs Niki Entrup On The BBC Radio 4 Today Programme
Niki Entrup explains why the deal is not good for whales on the BBC Radio 4 Today show.
2010-June-21
USA And New Zealand Pushing To Reward Whaling Outlaws
Today, Mon. 21st June, heralds the start of one of the most significant and potentially controversial weeks that conservationists may see for some time to come, when the International Whaling Commission (IWC) votes on the fate of the 24 year whaling ban.
2010-June-21
Special WDCS Radio Show On The Whaling ‘deal’ Direct From Agadir
In this WDCS Radio show we interview WDCS’s Nicolas Entrup, direct from the Agadir meeting about what politics are in play and how our elected officials are representing all of us.
2010-June-20
Marine Experts Bring A Petition To The IWC
Over 200 marine scientists and other experts, many of them highly distinguished and from over 40 countries around the world, have sent a petition to the International Whaling Commission urging that the ban on commercial whaling remains in place
2010-June-17
Reinventing The Whale
A new report by WDCS released today reveals the real reason behind the whaling nations desire to lift the whaling moratorium – they have long-term plans to develop new commercial applications for whale oil including in pharmaceuticals and animal feed.
2010-June-15
WDCS Radio Explains The Whaling Deal
WDCS’ own Sue Fisher and Niki Entrup explain what the Governments will be negotiating at the whaling meeting; reminding us that these same Governments are elected by, and must represent, you and me.
2010-June-12
No More Myths: Graphs Reveal The Truth About Commercial Whaling
WDCS, AWI and HSI have launched an animated online-tool that shows the total number of whales killed since 1946, the enormous success of the international ban on commercial whaling and continued whaling activities by Iceland, Norway and Japan.
2010-June-10
Call The Policy Paramedics, Isn’t This A Question Of Rights?
At a conference held in Helsinki, Finland this weekend, WDCS will be working with the well know philosopher and co-founder of the Great Ape Project, Paola Cavalieri, discussing if whales, dolphins and porpoises should have rights
2010-May-21
The Protest About The Oil Spill Continues
The WDCS team, together with campaigners across Australia have been fighting an ecological catastrophe, the Timor Sea oil spill. Add your voice to the Australian protest to prevent this happening again.
2009-November-09
Threat To Marine Environment Grows As Oil Continues To Escape From Fractured Pipe Into Timor Sea
Oil continues to pump into Timor Sea (250km off the West Australian coast) at a rate of around 400 barrels a day, after it was revealed that a third successive attempt to plug the leak has failed.
2009-October-14
Pacific Islands Show Global Leadership On Cetacean Conservation
WDCS continues to play a vital role in a progressive action plan with far reaching conservation benefits for whales and dolphins.
2009-July-29
International Field Projects - Pacific Ocean
Conservation and research projects in the Pacific Ocean.
2009-April-07
Korea Announces Its Future Whaling Intent
Whilst nations gathered in Rome to discuss a potential deal with Japan in an attempt to reduce Japanese so-called ‘scientific whaling’, Korea announced that if such a deal goes forward it would seek a quota and commence commercial whaling.
2009-March-11
Pacific Islands Region
In 2002, WDCS identified the Pacific as a region in need of greater protection for whales and dolphins.
2008-February-20
A New Pacific Protection Agreement Is Born
Signaling a new era of regional leadership, on the 15th September 2006 an important agreement was signed to protect and conserve whales and dolphins in the Pacific Islands Region.
2007-February-01