WDC believes that science and practical conservation research is a fundamental tool that enables the development of effective policy and conservation of whales and dolphins. Our approach includes striving for protection and critical conservation measures to be implemented at a population level as efforts can be hindered because of assumptions made at a species level. By taking the species-level-approach as opposed to the population-level-approach we risk extirpation of many distinct populations as their more vulnerable status is overlooked in favour of the status of the species.
TALKING POINTS
Many local and regional cetacean populations are seriously depleted and prospects for recovery are uncertain
There are currently some 87 recognised species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in the world and the overarching aim of cetacean conservation is clearly to ensure their long-term viability
By taking the species-level-approach as opposed to the population-level-approach we risk extirpation of many distinct populations as their more vulnerable status is overlooked in favour of the status of the species
Over the past 20 years, WDCS have supported around 185 conservation field projects in over 40 countries, spanning all major ocean regions and relevant river basins
WDC is one of the leading supporters of non- invasive cetacean conservation research worldwide
Whales and dolphins face a wide range of threats in a rapidly changing world. There are currently some 87 recognised species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in the world and the overarching aim of cetacean conservation is clearly to ensure their long-term viability.
Many populations are known to be vulnerable or endangered. Several species are in critical or immediate danger of extinction and with the declaration of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) as “functionally extinct” at the end of 2007, the previous claim that mankind has yet to cause the extinction of any whale or dolphin “species” is no longer true. The status of many more populations is not well enough known to enable confident assessments to be made about the population’s survival probability, and therefore the precautionary principle should always be applied to their conservation needs.