World Cetacean Alliance

Based in Brighton, the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is the world’s largest marine conservation partnership and aims to protect marine habitats through community engagement, by focusing on cetaceans.

What's a cetacean? Cetacean - in ancient greek 'huge fish' - are aquatic mammals. There are around 88 species which are divided into two groups. The Odontoceti (toothed whales), which consist of around 70 species including the dolphin, killer whales, porpoise, beluga whale, sperm whale, beaked whale. The Mysticeti (the baleen, filter feeding system) consist of around 15 species.

Back in July 2019, I had the opportunity to volunteer at The Brighton Dolphin Project which is a local initiative that was set up to celebrate the cultural heritage that Brighton has with Dolphins. This project was set up to inspire and excite the local community about conservation issues along the Sussex coast and encourage human behaviour change that will lead to increasingly sustainable practices. I was involved with the behind the scenes action, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, who were working towards aims including the creation of a sighting network alongside running activities that will lead to the creation of a future generation of ocean conservationists in Sussex.

The WCA's vision: A World where cetaceans are only found in the wild, are respected and fully protected, and live in sustainable habitats and in harmony with people everywhere.

The WCA's Mission: Through cooperation, the Partners of the World Cetacean Alliance aim to conserve and protect cetaceans and their habitats. By phasing out captivity and seeking to protect cetaceans in the world’s oceans, seas and rivers, we are a global community of people who care for cetaceans, study and respect them.

Whats all the fuss? There are many reasons why such an emphasis is being put into the protection of these incredible creatures. Each year, 13 million holiday makers view them in the wild, rocking up to be one of the most popular marine animals on Earth. I don't know about you but they are certainly on my bucket list. This is why its unsurprising to find that whales and dolphins are increasingly important economic drivers of economic growth for tourism. One of the aims that the WCA state is that they want to provide the best guiding to responsible whale watching tourism in order to secure a prosperous future not only for cetaceans and the people that rely upon them for their livelihoods but also for our oceans.

All about that magical whale poop! Cetaceans are also known to be impressive ecosystem engineers. Why? They increase species richness and habitat productivity which maintains the health and stability of the environment they are living in. Ever heard to the 'whale pump'? As whales feed at varying depths, they poop at the surface. This poop provides a massive boost of iron and nitrogen to many ecosystems which in tern benefits the food chain massively by renewing fish stocks. This is why whales act as an important indicator species that represent the health of our oceans, hence the great importance that we continue to study cetacean populations and focus on the protection of cetacean species and habitats.

Whales are ECO WARRIORS! Like many of us now, humans are starting to become more eco conscious as the reality of climate change is hitting us hard. Which is why whales are ever more awesome! They're climate change hero's. By requesting thousands of tons of carbon throughout their lifetime through their activities, Whales reduce the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere and are able to limit the impact greenhouse gases and our warming climate. Whales eat (store CO2) prey and their poop provides vital nutrients for phytoplankton to grow (absorb CO2!). When whales die and sink to the ocean floor they lock up more carbon away from the atmosphere.

The sad truth... Unfortunately, the sad truth behind these majestic creatures is that they are disappearing, and fast. From being hunted, to being captured for captivity, to the dangers of being caught in fishing nets or ingesting plastic waste, it is apparent that cetaceans continue to face exploitation. It alarming to find that of the 88 species known to science, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies three as Critically Endangered, seven as Endangered, six as Vulnerable, and five as Near Threatened. Due to cetaceans being absolute globetrotting experts, humpback whales can travel more than 10,000 km each year between the poles and tropics. Hence, it is important their protection involves international collaboration.

Objectives

1. To prevent the population reduction or extinction of any cetacean

2. To prevent any cetacean being held in captivity except for rehabilitation and sanctuary purposes.

3. To prevent humankind’s deliberate or accidental killing of any cetacean.

4. To protect critical habitat including key breeding, feeding and migratory areas for cetaceans.

5. To promote responsible whale and dolphin watching as an opportunity to learn, inspire and educate, on trips that are as low impact as possible.

6. To base our findings on sound science and work collaboratively to build information resources valuable to our Partners and the wider stakeholder community working to protect cetaceans.

7. To raise the profile of the issues affecting cetaceans and their habitats through advocacy, publicity, public outreach and global information distribution

8. To work with governments, politicians, members of the public and industry to realize the Alliance’s mission and to campaign publicly and through political offices as necessary.

9. To encourage a global community of people who care for cetaceans and who learn about and respect them.

10. To expand the capacity, knowledge and experience of our Partners to act effectively on behalf of cetaceans and their habitats by representing their interests and supporting their work.

11. To respect, support and encourage all Partners, whether they are Individuals, Whale and Dolphin Watch Tour Operators, Non-Profit Organizations or ‘Other’ (Museums, Arts and Culture Institutes, Scientific Institute, Commercial Business e.g. clothing company, etc.).

12. To build the financial, logistical, legal and political support to ensure cetaceans are conserved for future generations.