Dolphin Watch and Nature Tours
Educational Resources for Teachers and Schools

Dolphin and Whale Conservation

• The International Whaling Commission was set up in 1946 to provide proper conservation of whale stocks left in the ocean.
• The main duty of the IWC is to keep under review and revise as necessary the laws governing the conduct of whaling throughout the world
• These measures provide for the complete protection of certain species of whales and designate whale sanctuaries.
• The IWC sets the size and number of whales that can be harvested per season, banning the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by their calves.
  

• The MMP gives the federal government responsibility to protect and conserve marine mammals.
• Established a moratorium on the catching or importation of marine mammals along with any products that were taken or produced from them. (Pacific Northwest Indians, Aleut and Eskimos are exempt from moratorium under certain conditions)
• Amendments were made in 1988 and 1994 to the act to allow certain permits issued for the taking of marine mammals for importation, public display, scientific research and recovery of species.