Dolphins and Porpoises

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 1 person | Log in to rate

Ranked #4,355 in Animals, #103,819 overall

About Dolphins and Porpoises

This lens is about two similar marine mammals, dolphins and porpoises.

Saving Wild Dolphins 

In the Japanese fishing village of Taiji, fishermen are rounding up and slaughtering hundreds and even thousands of dolphins right now.

After driving pods of dolphins into shallow coves, the fishermen kill the dolphins, slashing their throats with knives or stabbing them with spears.

This brutal massacre - the largest scale dolphin kill in the world - goes on for six months of every year.

Japanese fishermen kill the largest number of dolphins anywhere in the world and dolphins and porpoises face grave danger in Japan's coastal waters when the annual hunt begins.

For more information visit www.savejapandolphins.org.

NOAA Fisheries Dolphin-Human Interaction Guidelines 

NOAA Fisheries has several recommendations for dolphin-human interaction. The organization encourages mariners to observe wild dolphins from a distance.

Federal law prohibits feeding and harassing wild dolphins because these practices can cause serious harm or injury to both dolphins and people. Feeding wild dolphins makes them less wary of humans and changes their natural behaviors.

Other activities, such as deliberately pursuing wild dolphins while swimming or aboard personal watercraft, may disrupt the dolphins' natural behavior, such as feeding, resting, breeding, or calving.

NOAA makes these additional statements about dolphin s:

* Do not feed wild dolphins
* Remain a respectful distance of at least 50 yards
* Use binoculars to view dolphins in the wild
* Move watercraft in a predictable manner
* Avoid fishing in areas where dolphins are actively feeding
* Do not toss bait overboard if dolphins have been sighted nearby
* Recycle used fishing line so that marine wildlife does not become entangled

To report violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, such as the harassment of wild dolphins, call 1-800-853-1964.

Books About Dolphins and Porpoises 

Dolphin - Porpoise Links 

marinemammal.org
The North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium was formed with four participating institutions: the University of Alaska, the University of British Columbia, the University of Washington, and Oregon State University.

The mission of the Consortium is to undertake a long-term program of research on marine mammals and their interactions with fisheries, other species and oceanographic conditions in the North Pacific Ocean and Eastern Bering Sea.
Nautical Art
Nautical-Art.Org is a directory of nautical artwork covering subjects such as boats, boating, lighthouses, ocean scenes and more. Specialty sites carry products such as t shirts, clothing, jewelry, paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, carvings, decoys and more.

Dolphin - Porpoise Feedback 

Tell us about your thoughts on dolphins and porpoises.