Home page
Stop
Protect
Connect

Fisheries and bycatch

The biggest killer of whales and dolphins across the world is the fishing net. There is no ocean where this is not a serious issue.

We campaign to reduce and where possible eliminate the impact of destructive fishing practices. Our studies find out more about vulnerable whale, dolphin and porpoise populations and illustrate the impact that such fishing practices have on them. Vital if we are to expose and eliminate these threats.

In the North East Atlantic, particularly off the west coasts of France and the UK, thousands of dolphins die in fishing nets every year. We're campaigning to raise awareness of this crisis, pushing for compliance with the EU regulation already won to address the problem and pressing for stronger measures to protect dolphins and porpoises.

In the USA we are working with fishermen to reduce the impact of accidental entanglement of large whales, whilst in the depths of the Amazon and Indian subcontinent we have been working to educate fishermen to use non-lethal fishing techniques.

We want to take our work to all regions to address the biggest killer to whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world.



bycatch

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


Northern right whale fluke

USA Fixed Gear Fisheries
Depleted by whaling last century, it is entanglement in fishing lines which, alongside vessel strikes, is primarily responsible for the decline of the north atlantic right whale today.
2008-February-20


Harbour porpoise

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


Northern right whale fluke

North Atlantic Right Whales
Vessel strikes are one of the most common causes of death for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales off the east coast of the USA.
2008-February-20


Features

Las Partes De CMS Se Reúnen En Roma
Pedido De WDCS Para Entrar En Acción En Reunión De ONU
CMS COP9: WDCS Calls On Parties To Act!
Eröffnungsrede Der WDCS Bei UN-Konferenz
Parties To The Convention Of Migratory Species Of Wild Animals Meet In Rome
Haben Regierungen Ein Echtes Interesse, Wale Und Delfine Zu Schützen?
WDCS Stärkt Ihr Programm Zur Vermeidung Von Schiffskollisionen Mit Meeressäugern
WDCS Strengthens Global Programme To Reduce Vessel Collisions With Whales
Luxury Resort Exposed As Capturing Dolphins

Further links

Site index
Media centre
Search
Support wdcs
WDCS programs
WDCS science
Species guide
Whale watching
Just for kids
Publications
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Contact WDCS
About WDCS
Help
Make a Donation

Non visually impaired links

WDCS shop
WDCS uk
WDCS germany
WDCS australasia
WDCS north america
WDCS south america