OceanCare News
The fate of whales
The recent fate of two whales once again highlights how it is influenced by us humans. The one, a young sperm whale, was spotted in June north of Sicily, entangled in fishing gear. The other, an adult female fin whale, was first sighted on the eastern coast of Greece...
Lack of national political will is driving European seas to the brink
Today, the European Commission published a report assessing the progress with the implementation of the EU’s Marine Directive [1], adopted in 2008. The report comes out just as the European Environment Agency paints a dire picture of the state of European seas in its...
June 8th: World Oceans Day – Increasing sustainability in shipping traffic with more innovation and less speed
Wädenswil, 3 June 2020: The United Nations celebrate “World Oceans Day” on the 8th of June. This year’s theme is “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean”. On this occasion, the international marine conservation organisation OceanCare introduces the interdisciplinary...
Scientists call for immediate EU action to protect dolphins and porpoises following NGO request
Scientists from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) have published landmark advice today, warning the European Commission that immediate action is needed to protect two critically vulnerable marine species. A group of NGOs has welcomed the...
Hunting against better knowledge
Norway’s whale hunt: fallen out of time Wädenswil, 9th April 2020: The 1st of April marked the start of the annual whaling season in Norway with a self-allocated quota of 1,278 animals. The first minke whale was killed already. Norway’s quota is five times higher than...
Better protection status for mammal-eating Orcas in Russian waters
While preparing for the 21st field season of the Far East Russia Orca Project (FEROP), we have received good news. The Russian federal government approved the inclusion of mammal-eating killer whales into the Russian Red Book of Endangered Species. As a scientist, I...
740 dolphins fell victim to the drive hunts in Japan
March 1st is a pleasant day not only as the first day of meteorological spring, but also because it marks the end of the drive hunt season in Taiji, Japan. In this coastal fishing village, boats drive dolphins into a cove every winter. These drives alone are dreadful...
New research findings emphasise the call for quieter oceans
Actually, we don’t need any more studies to prove that underwater noise has a negative impact on whales, but new research underscores the already loud call for quieter oceans. Two current studies look into the effects of noise on beaked whales and minke whales. Beaked...
Results of UN Species Conservation Conference are a rollercoaster ride
OceanCare conclusions from preliminary results of UN Conference on the Conservation of Migratory Species in India Gandhinagar, February 20, 2020: Today, Thursday, the negotiation rounds of the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of...
13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP13), February 17-22, 2020, Gandhinagar, India
Agenda Item II: Reports 11.6: Reports, Statements IGOs and NGOs Distinguished Chair and Delegates, dear CMS Family, It is exciting and a privilege to be attending this CMS COP13. We wish to take this opportunity and thank the Government of India for hosting this...