Conservation International’s Post

📢 UPDATE: In our ongoing efforts to investigate the events that took place on August 17, 2023, which involved an attack on a group of the critically endangered Iberian Orcas by a vessel crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, we are pleased to inform that last week, in collaboration with Sea Shepherd France, World Cetacean Alliance, and Partido Animalista PACMA, we formally submitted documentation and filed charges to the delegate prosecutor for environmental crimes in Cádiz, Spain. To stay updated on the case's progress, you can follow us or visit the dedicated website called "Attacks Against Orcas" (https://lnkd.in/dHAgZNJW). This website aims to provide information on ongoing cases related to reported incidents of aggression towards Orcas (Orcinus orca) by vessels or humans. Additionally, this platform allows individuals who witness such attacks to report their observations of aggression against these animals. Crimes and harassments against whales and dolphins occur daily, both in the ocean and on land. Being together with whales and dolphins almost every day out at sea, also entails the duty of identifying and pursuing legal actions against wildlife crimes. #wildlifecrime #IberianOrca #oceanconservation #whaleprotection

The latest report from Environmental Investigation Agency's amazing ocean team! On Borrowed Time delves into the illegal fishing of protected totoaba fish in the Gulf of California, which are then trafficked and sold as part of transnational organised crime. The relentless poaching of totoaba fish has decimated the vaquita porpoise in the Gulf, with now only 10 individuals left it is the worlds most endangered marine mammal. Research has indicated that the vaquita could still recover, but that requires swift action at all levels. https://lnkd.in/e3q8-nWf

You may have seen images of another Basking Shark stranded in Ireland. It was entangled in pot fishing gear. This led to me ask the question: Is there any innovative ways to reduce the likelihood of entanglement? I learnt about the Scottish Entanglement Alliance. Their objective is to reduce the amount of entanglements between marine wildlife and fishing gear. Here is one of there.. dare I say, simple solutions. I enjoyed learning about how this organisation is pushing sustainable practices and allowing marine wildlife and humans to better coexist. I explain the very simple solution below 👇🏼

🌊 13 marine protected areas (MPAs) in the UK will now be safeguarded from bottom trawling and dredging, a crucial step for marine conservation. 💪   However, this protection remains limited, leaving the majority of UK MPAs vulnerable to destructive fishing practices. It's crucial to extend these protections to all MPAs to ensure the full recovery of our marine ecosystems. Better protections will also benefit the fishing industry by replenishing fish populations, resulting in a spillover effect where fish migrate outside the protected areas, enhancing catch rates and supporting sustainable fishing practices for nearby fishers.   We stand with @OceanaUK in advocating for comprehensive action to safeguard our marine wildlife and habitats. 🐠 💙   #MarineConservation #ProtectOurMPAs

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS NEW WILDLIFE LAW As the battle to preserve Nigeria’s wildlife intensifies, there is a growing consensus among conservationists, lawmakers, and concerned citizens alike that a comprehensive and strict wildlife law is badly needed. The existing laws and regulations fail to reflect the gravity and complexity of the current situation and appear to be inadequate to effectively combat illegal wildlife trade. Government agencies and NGOs are now rallying together to push for a new wildlife law. This proposed legislation aims to strengthen penalties for wildlife crime, enhance law enforcement capabilities and empower enforcement agencies to act decisively. In this report, our Environment Correspondent Laila Johnson-Salami, explores legislation under consideration and the role it could play in securing a future where the nation's wildlife can survive and thrive.

Did you know if you employ wildlife control methods that might hurt or bother certain birds, you could be breaking the law? Check out our recent blog post to learn more about Migratory Bird Treaty Act and how to deal with federally protected birds. https://lnkd.in/gT7E6TYP

The escalating demand for fish has given rise to unsustainable fishing practices, which result in dwindling fish populations and endanger non-target species due to bycatch and habitat damage. In West Africa, one of the foremost challenges stems from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, especially by foreign commercial fishing vessels that take advantage of the region’s limited capacity for surveillance, patrolling, and prosecution.

Pirate, or illegal, fishing is one of the biggest forms of transnational organised crime in existence today. On the high seas, in waters beyond borders, entire fleets use slave crew to capture unregulated and even endangered species. Find out more in THE HIGH SEAS, due on May 21 in the US and May 23 in the UK/Commonwealth/Ireland. #thehighseas2024

BREAKING: Senate calls for urgent action on feral horses to save the Australian Alps 👏🏽👏🏽 Earlier today, the Senate released its inquiry report into the impact and management of feral horses in the Australian Alps. The report calls for increased funding to assist with the control of feral horses in VIC and NSW and for aerial control to be adopted in NSW. Feral horse numbers in the Australian Alps keep growing – and our native wildlife are paying the price. No-one likes to see animals killed, but if we ignore the damage feral horses cause in the high country, our native species will be driven even further towards extinction. We now await the upcoming decision by NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe on whether to allow aerial control in Kosciuszko National Park.

STUDY HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF UNITING COMMUNITIES AND CONSERVATION The introduction and implementation of marine conservation measures can only be achieved through mutual partnerships between scientists, fishing communities and policy makers, new research has suggested. https://lnkd.in/e3TsGsHx