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 WDCS had the pleasure of welcoming Nick Carter as the Ambassador to the Year of the Dolphin at its launch in the US in Washington, DC on Thursday, May 17th in partnership with the United Nation’s Environment Program and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Courtney Vail, US Policy Officer for WDCS, presented on the threats facing dolphins in the wild, alongside Nick Carter, who spoke of his intentions to launch a new website dedicated to dolphins and the marine environment, in addition to other activities to raise awareness and funds for dolphin protection. The objective of Year of the Dolphin is to promote education and other activities to create awareness of dolphin species and the threats facing them, informing decision makers and involving local communities.
Dolphins are among the planet’s most well-known but also increasingly vulnerable marine mammals. There are at least 39 species of dolphins, most of which are migratory. Dolphins face many threats—incidental capture in fishing nets (bycatch), depletion of habitat and food resources, chemical and noise pollution, and directed hunts for meat or trade for public display in captive facilities.
The international Year of the Dolphin was launched in Monaco in September 2006. This announcement was timely in that it just preceded the unfortunate and tragic announcement of the apparent extinction of the first dolphin species, the Baiji, or Yangtze river dolphin. In December 2006, the Baiji was declared functionally extinct after a six-week survey of its habitat failed to find even a single individual. More compelling is the fact that this is the first dolphin species to be lost due to human activities. This white river dolphin, shy and nearly blind, dates back some 20 million years. Its disappearance is believed to be the first time in half-century, since hunting killed off the Caribbean monk seal, that a large aquatic mammal has been driven to extinction.
To survive, dolphins need clean and quiet oceans, protected areas, and people who care. By highlighting their plight, we help to raise awareness about both the status of our oceans and coastal ecosystems, and the threat to species that we pose through our own actions.
Stay tuned as WDCS announces new initiatives and activities in partnership with Nick Carter and Year of the Dolphin!
Contact Courtney Vail, courtney@wdcs.org, with any queries.
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