Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society - website
Spokesperson: Dr Mike Bossley, AM
Contact Details: (08) 8440 3700
Key Role of Member Group:
The WDCS is an international organization with offices in the UK, USA, Germany, Argentina and Australia. The head office in Australia is in Port Adelaide, with a key focus here being the research into and welfare of the Port River dolphins by marine biologist, Dr Mike Bossley, AM. Mike's 20 years work with the local dolphins is one of the most detailed studies of dolphins anywhere in the world.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) aims to reduce and ultimately eliminate the continuing threats to whales and dolphins and their habitat. Cetaceans face many threats including chemical pollution, boat strikes, entanglement in nets and habitat los
Key Achievements and Activities for 2008/09:
By studying populations of dolphins and orca, we begin to understand what they eat, how they catch it, how many animals live together and if this changes over time, what skills they pass on from one generation to the next, how long they live and how many calves they have.
WDCS funded researcher, Dr Mike Bossley AM, continues his long-term study of the Port River dolphins. In addition Mike is leading a campaign with other NGO's to save the Maui's and Hectors dolphins (New Zealand).
Education plays an important role in the long term conservation of the Port River dolphins and WDCS undertakes educational activities within schools and partners with the Maritime Museum to delivery education talks to schools visiting the port. WDCS's Award winning school's program, Dolphin Watch, is actively engaging students in marine conservation on Kangaroo Island and in Port Pirie and Whyalla.
Fisheries is a major global threat to dolphins and the Australian office is campaigning to study and highlight the significance of this threat to dolphins and whales in waters off both South Australia and Australia as a whole.
WDCS continues to advocate for the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins through the International Whaling Commission, published reports, media statements and other awareness raising and campaign activities
WDCS monitors the conservation status of whale and dolphin species, secures habitat protection and supports over 40 field research and conservation projects in 27 countries. WDCS does this by working with the United Nations, island communities, national governments and local conservation organisations.
Adopting a dolphin or orca funds the work of WDCS
Identify three key environmental issues impacting on South Australia:
1. Stormwater pollution into Port River
2. Factory pollution into Port River
3. Fisheries, especially large scale commercial fishing