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General News Archive 2008
Concern for New Jerseys' dolphins
(Added: 21 December 2008)
Despite reassurances from a panel of wildlife experts, concerns are growing for a group of dolphins that first appeared in the Shrewsbury/Navesink River (New Jersey) back in June 2008. Water temperature in the two rivers is now 35 degrees, a massive drop from the 60+ degrees it was when the dolphins first appeared.
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Brazilian whale sanctuary update
(Added: 21 December 2008)
The Marine Connection is delighted to report that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently signed a federal decree establishing the Brazilian whale and dolphin sanctuary, reinforcing protection for all cetacean species in Brazilian jurisdictional waters. Click here for further details
Japan imports whale meat from Iceland
(Added: 27 November 2008)
Japan has recently purchased whale meat from Iceland, marking the first such imports in 17 years. The Japanese government approved the purchases in September and some of the meat has been put on the market since clearing customs.
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Hundreds of Narwhals trapped in ice
(Added: 27 November 2008)
As many as 400 tusked whales could be trapped in the ice north of Baffin Island, far more than originally estimated.
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New dolphin species found
(Added: 27 November 2008)
A new, third species of bottlenose dolphin has been discovered in the waters off southern Australia. It is only the second new dolphin to be discovered in 50 years.
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Whaling vessel has left port
(Added: 17 November 2008)
The Nisshin Maru, the main ship in Japan 's whaling fleet, has left Innoshima in western Japan for Antarctica under tight security. It is the ship's first hunt in the region since its return to port in April this year following a fire on the vessel.
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Australia gives up chasing whalers
(Added: 16 November 2008)
The Australian Government has abandoned plans to send a ship to the Antarctic to shadow Japanese whale hunters this season, despite an election promise to increase pressure in a bid to end the slaughter.
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Vanishing Orcas
(Added: 01 November 2008)
Blossom and Splash, also identified as J11 and L67, are just two of the breeding female killer whales that have been added to a growing list from the Southern Population of orcas believed dead this year.
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Poignant 'Saving Luna' movie wins prestigious awards
(Added: 26 October 2008)
The Marine Connection is delighted to announce that our colleagues Suzanne Chisholm and Mike Parfitt who very kindly gave us a pre-release clip of their 'Saving Luna' movie for inclusion at the Marine Connection ECS conference workshop on solitary cetaceans earlier this year, have won 3 prestigious awards for their movie.
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Beluga whales listed as endangered
(Added: 21 October 2008)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced that the Cook Inlet beluga whale population near Anchorage is in danger of extinction, and has been listed as an endangered species.
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New study sheds light on dolphin predation
(Added: 21 October 2008)
Spinner dolphins have long been known for their teamwork in capturing prey but a new study using high-tech acoustics has found that their synchronization is even more complex than scientists realised and likely evolved as a strategy to maximize their energy intake.
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Whaling ships hunt 211 whales
(Added: 22 August 2008)
Japanese whaling ships caught 211 whales during their three-month voyage in the northwest Pacific - 100 sei whales, 59 minke whales, 50 Bryde's whales and two sperm whales. The main ship of the six-vessel fleet, 8044-ton Nisshin-maru, will arrive back shortly in Tokyo with the rest returning to their ports by the end of the month.
Baby humpback whale euthanised
(Added: 22 August 2008)
The abandoned baby whale that had been in waters off north Sydney, for the past week has now been euthanised to spare it further suffering.
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Baby humpback whale in poor condition
(Added: 21 August 2008)
An baby whale that has been attempting to suckle boats in the waters off north Sydney, Australia may be euthanised because it is now in such poor condition.
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British whaling ship wreck discovered
(Added: 18 August 2008)
A team of scientists recently found the oldest wreckage of a whaling vessel in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, shedding further light on the major significance of 19th-century whaling heritage in this region.
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Bowhead whale hunt in Quebec
(Added: 12 August 2008)
Inuit living in the remote northern Quebec community of Kangirsujuaq are celebrating a successful bowhead whale hunt over the weekend.
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Whale 'maternity ward' discovered
(Added: 11 August 2008)
Hundreds of young humpback whale calves have been discovered in a bay in the Kimberley region (located in the northern part of Western Australia), making it one of the world's biggest humpback whale nursery grounds.
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Orca matriarch believed dead
(Added: 07 August 2008)
The oldest resident orca on British Columbia’s south coast is believed to have died. Known as K7 and the matriarch of K pod, (and more affectionately as Lummi) hasn’t been seen since Christmas. Her pod was seen in early June but she was not with them.
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2008 Japan Dolphin Day
(Added: 01 August 2008)
The Marine Connection is once again co-ordinating the UK section of this worldwide protest to highlight concerns over the cruel and barbaric slaughter of more than 20,000 dolphins, small whales and porpoises in Japan.
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Whale spotted in unusual location
(Added: 30 July 2008)
Biologists travelling to the German island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea to watch birds got a surprise when they spotted a humpback whale instead. The last time such a whale was spotted in German waters was nearly 30 years ago. Images taken confirmed that it was a humpback and allthough the animal looked healthy, it can't stay in the area for too long because it will struggle to find enough food in those waters. Humpback whales live off small fish and krill.
Whale watchers have an unexpected experience
(Added: 24 July 2008)
Around 100 tourists on a whale watching tour in northeast Iceland had a huge shock recently when they observed a group of orcas attack a large minke whale and eat it.
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Tougher laws to protect white humpback whales
(Added: 22 July 2008)
Queensland State Government has agreed to give white humpbacks greater protection after a third one was spotted recently . Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara has ordered wider exclusion zones and tougher fines to protect the animals.
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Blue whales return to Californian waters
(Added: 17 July 2008)
Once again, several blue whales are living off the coast around Palos Verdes Peninsula - the Los Angeles/South Bay area of California. It’s the third consecutive summer this species have returned to the region.
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Marine Bill to promote growth in Scottish seas
(Added: 14 July 2008)
Rural Affairs and Environment Cabinet Secretary, Richard Lochhead has unveiled proposals for Scotland's first Marine Bill, designed to balance conservation and economic growth in Scottish seas.
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New white whale spotted
(Added: 09 July 2008)
Migaloo the very famous white humpback that is seen around Australian waters on its annual migration north may not be the only white humpback whale visiting Australian shores.
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Endangered Susu dolphin sold at local market
(Added: 02 July 2008)
A dolphin from the endangered Ganges river population was sold at a local market in Behrampore, India.
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Makah tribe members sentenced over illegal whale hunt
(Added: 01 July 2008)
The five members of the Makah tribe who participated in an unsanctioned hunt of a gray whale last year have been sentenced.
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Whale meat from Norway stuck in cold storage
(Added: 06 June 2008)
The whale meat recently sent to Japan as reported by us on 2 June, is stuck in cold storage without an import licence.
Read our report and update here
Moray Firth dolphins featured on BBC Springwatch
(Added: 06 June 2008)
The Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins were featured on a recent edition of the BBC Springwatch programme which included some fantastic footage of the dolphins bow-riding and hunting their prey. Click for more details and to view footage
Orca pod returns to San Juan Islands with baby
(Added: 06 June 2008)
A pod of orcas has returned from the ocean to Puget Sound waters with a new calf. Members of the K and L pods were sighted recently at the south end of San Juan Island with the new calf which now makes 88 whales in the "southern resident" population of orcas that summers in Puget Sound. These particular whales were listed in 2005 as an endangered species and in January the National Marine Fisheries Service released a recovery plan to save them.
Nordic nations resume whale meat exports
(Added: 02 June 2008)
Iceland and Norway have resumed whale meat exports to Japan for the first time since the early 1990s despite a United Nations ban. Iceland has sent 80 tonnes of fin whale meat caught in the 2006 season, with Norway exporting 5 tonnes of minke whale meat.
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Minke whale numbers down in Icelandic waters
(Added: 02 June 2008)
According to a recent report from Iceland’s Marine Research Institute on numbers of minke whales in Icelandic waters, the minke stock has declined by 24 percent since 2001.
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Award winning whale watch company partner with Sea World
(Added: 28 May 2008)
New Zealand whale & dolphin watch operators 'Whale Watch Kaikoura' are due to expand into the Australian market with the opening of their new company Whale Watch Australia.
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Demand to include warning sticker on dolphin meat
(Added: 27 May 2008)
Join the Marine Connection in supporting the request being made to the Japanese Ministery of Health, Labour and Welfare to put a warning label on all dolphin meat, similar to those placed on every package of cigarettes sold in Japan.
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Humpbacks still need protection
(Added: 27 May 2008)
40 years after being hunted to near extinction and their slaughter banned worldwide, humpback whales in the North Pacific have strengthened in numbers.
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Chilean whale sanctuary promised
(Added: 27 May 2008)
Environmental groups are applauding the recent promise by Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to covert Chile’s entire coastline – one of the longest in the world – into a whale sanctuary.
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Marine Connection open new cetacean exhibition
(Added: 07 May 2008)
The Marine Connection are delighted to launch a new project in Benbecula, Outer Hebrides on cetacean welfare and protection - why not visit us if you are in the area.
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Delay in decision over Cook Inlet beluga listing
(Added: 22 April 2008)
The Marine Connection fully supports the ongoing appeal to have the Cook Inlet Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
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Two found guilty in dolphin court case
(Added: 17 April 2008)
Michael Jukes and Daniel Buck, the two men accused of disturbing 'Dave' the dolphin have today (17 April 2008), been found guilty as charged. Both have been sentenced to 120 hours community service and fined £350 each plus costs.
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Japan set sail for minke whale 'research'
(Added: 11 April 2008)
The Japanese fisheries agency have announced that on Monday 14 April, five boats will leave from Northern Japan headed for the North Pacific Ocean, their target - up to 60 minke whales, to be caught in the next month in the name of research. About 100 minke whales are killed in the Pacific by Japan annually whilst in Antarctica the number rises to at least 900. Researchers claim they now need to study the whales food intake to ascertain their impact on fish stocks.
Further support for whale sanctuary
(Added: 11 April 2008)
Following the report on a recent meeting with President Bachelet, (see 10 April below), a new poll shows the amount of public support for establishing a sanctuary in Chilean waters.
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Nordic ministers clash over whaling
(Added: 10 April 2008)
Swedish and other Nordic and Baltic government leaders have been meeting in Sweden for top-level discussions of continuing Nordic co-operation work in the European Union.
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Chile a step closer to creating a whale sanctuary
(Added: 10 April 2008)
Colleagues in Chile have taken their proposals for the creation of a whale sanctuary one stop further by meeting with the President, Michelle Bachelet.
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Makah members found guilty of illegal whale hunt
(Added: 08 April 2008)
Further to our previous report (see 21 January 2008), it has been announced today that the members of the Makah tribe who led an unsanctioned gray whale hunt in September 2007 have been convicted of federal misdemeanor charges by a US court.
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Dolphins in south west India face an uncertain future
(Added: 07 April 2008)
According to a recent survey, at least 1,000 dolphins are killed every year in Kerala, Southern India - mainly due to fishing nets. However it has now been revealed that dolphins are also being deliberately slaughtered.
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Draft UK Marine Bill published
(Added: 03 April 2008)
New marine nature reserves around Britain’s coast are among plans published today (April 3, 2008) by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
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Advert launched to highlight dolphin trafficking
(Added: 02 April 2008)
As part of the coaltion working to stop wild dolphin captures and trade we would like to congratulate our colleagues at the Humane Society and Save Japan Dolphins on their advert which has been launched today to highlight the issue, which we wholeheartedly support.
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New footage of brutal dolphin hunt obtained
(Added: 31 March 2008)
The Marine Connection has for many years supported the work of Ric O'Barry and in more recent times, the Save Japan Dolphins Coalition to put an end to the brutal annual drive hunts in Japan. One important aspect of the work is to highlight to the public and media the truth behind these "hunts" and the animals sourced from them to supply marine parks. Now, graphic footage of the annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan has been captured on film during a yearlong operation.
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Concern for safety of Moko in New Zealand
(Added: 31 March 2008)
Reports are being received from New Zealand of concern for Moko, the dolphin which has been frequenting Mahia Beach, who it is felt may potentially be in danger as a result of all the attention the animal has attracted.
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Transient orcas on the move
(Added: 27 March 2008)
Each year, around April time, killer whales approach the Oregon coast and patrol the central coastal waters, looking for baby gray whales, sea lions or seals to feast on. They are rarely seen in these waters, except at this time of year.
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Illegal whale meat trade exposed
(Added: 19 March 2008)
South Korean police have arrested three fishermen who are suspected of running a ring that traded in illegal whale meat. 90 mink whales were found in a cold storage facility in Ulsan, home to scores of restaurants that serve whale meat.
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Iceland likely to commence whaling again
(Added: 14 March 2008)
Iceland who ended its ban on commercial whaling in 2006 is likely to commence whaling again this summer. Last August its fisheries ministry said it would not issue new quotas until market demand increased and an export agreement with Japan was in place. Whaling could start as early as May. Gunnar Bergmann Jonsson, the head of Iceland's minke whaling association said he hoped for a quota of 100 whales.
Norway announces whale quota
(Added: 21 February 2008)
Norway has announced its whale quota for 2008 and plans to hunt over a thousand minke whales. The quota remains unchanged from last year and includes 97 whales that were not caught during previous whaling seasons. The majority of the animals will be taken from the coastal areas around the Barents Sea, Svalbard and the North Sea.
Another dolphin hunt in Japan
(Added: 14 February 2008)
The city of Nago in Okinawa prefecture of Japan recently turned the clock back 20 years by commencing dolphin hunting again. Nago hunted dolphins 20 years ago but stopped after receiving bad publicity over the practice – much as Taiji does today.
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Continued hunting of bowheads
(Added: 07 February 2008)
NOAA Fisheries Service has released a final environmental impact statement (EIS) proposing continued hunting of bowhead whales in Alaska.
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Costa Rica takes steps to protect cetaceans
(Added: 23 January 2008)
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias and Environmental Minister Robert Dobles recently signed a decree to protect whales and dolphins from being hunted in Costa Rican waters.
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Plans to build giant whaling ship
(Added: 22 January 2008)
Japanese officials have confirmed plans to build a supersized whaling mother ship. Iwata Tsuyoshi - deputy director of the whaling division of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, recently said discussions had taken place regarding a replacement for the factory ship Nisshin Maru which he says is old and unsuitable for the research Japan wants to conduct in the future. Commissioning a new mother ship would commit Japan to at least 40 more years of whaling.
Makah tribe postpones hearing
(Added: 21 January 2008)
A trial date was supposed to be set this week for five Makah Indians accused of illegally killing a gray whale last year, but the tribal court has postponed the hearing due to the tribe's former chief judge’s contract not being renewed - (see previous article posted on 10 September 2007). The whalers also face charges in a US court which is scheduled to start on March 18 in Tacoma.
Australia acts on whaling issue
(Added: 15 January 2008)
In a purely symbolic act but one that could inflame bilateral ties, an Australian court has ruled that a Japanese whaling company broke environment laws by killing whales in Australia's Antarctic waters.
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Tons of whale meat seized
(Added: 14 January 2008)
Police in South Korea have broken an illegal whale poaching racket, confiscating more than 50 tons of minke meat in the largest seizure of its kind in the country.
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Threat to vulnerable dolphin population
(Added: 11 January 2008)
The death of a large number of fish along the stretch of river Ganga, close to 50-km long Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bhagalpur district of Bihar, is causing concern among authorities and environmentalists. According to forest officials the death of so many fish may pose a serious threat to the endangered dolphin in river Ganga namely the Ganges river dolphin, or susu (Platanista gangetica).
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