On the 21st anniversary of the declaration of Irish waters as Europe’s first Whale and Dolphin sanctuary, The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced a campaign to extend that status to all European waters.
On 07 June 1991 then Taoiseach Charles Haughey declared Ireland a Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary in recognition of the importance of Irish waters “for these magnificent creatures”. Now, 21 years on the IWDG is embarking on an ambitious scheme to establish a Pan-European Whale and Dolphin sanctuary.
The proposal aims to consolidate disparate protected areas around Europe into a single, contiguous sanctuary for these incredibly mobile and often transient animals.
There are a number of small marine protected areas in Europe for cetaceans including harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphins and some international sanctuaries such as the Pelagos Sanctuary in the Mediterranean. These areas all have important roles to play but cetaceans are mobile marine species and travel large distances. Also to gain public support for cetacean conservation it may require a larger, more simple concept. – IWDG
The Environmental Pillar, a voluntary “conglomerate” of Irish organisations that have agreed to work together to advocate environmental issues, has endorsed the proposal.
As an initial step the IWDG is looking to demonstrate public support for this ambitious initiative. If you’d like to show your support just click on the link below and follow the on screen instructions.
Online petition to support a Pan European Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary
The IWDG hopes that this campaign to promote a pan-European Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary will help to place cetaceans, and the threats they face, on the political agenda and ultimately lead to more effective cetacean conservation policies across Europe.
