Save Endangered Whales (all around the world)
Although it’s rare to find them on England’s coast (more likely in Cornwall or Scotland), whales travel thousands of miles each year, so could be close by, and littering or polluting our oceans greatly affects them. Whales face dangers from oil and plastic pollution, hunting and consumer choices.
There are only around 70 reproductive female North Atlantic right whales left (same as vaquita porpoises).
Simple Swaps to Save the Whales
- Litter travels on tides, so never drop litter at the beach (or off a boat) as it could end up in the stomachs (or tangling) creatures here and far away .
- Other ways to help are to choose reusable over disposable, and use waterless car washes (home drive and supermarket car washes send untreated oily water down drains, and into the sea.
- If you eat fish, look for sustainable-certified brands, which don’t use by-catch methods (that catch other marine creatures in nets).
- Ensure ‘squalene’ in beauty products (and supplements) is plant-based. Also avoid ‘ambergris’ in perfumes (made from whale poop).
- If you travel to Scandinavia, be wary of ‘steak’, as sometimes cruise ships serve up whale to unsuspecting tourists.
- Never visit tourist aquariums, sea creatures have hardly any space and are often wild-caught.
- Boycott krill supplements (food needed for marine creatures).
- To help prevent oil pollution, wrap small amounts of oil in kitchen paper and bin (same with cream liqueurs). For larger amounts, use an oil recycling container and take to the tip.
If you sail a boat and spot a whale (or any marine wildlife), keep at least 100 feet away (or further away if possible for large creatures). If the creature approaches your boat, switch the engine off and slow your speed to 4 knots.
WiSE is a wildlife-friendly boating course (it only takes five hours).
Never use jet skis or flash photography. If you dive or snorkel, enter the water gently, to avoid splashing, and again keep your distance – it’s their territory, not yours.
Whale Conservation and Ocean Sanctuaries
England presently has no ocean sanctuaries (Scotland has just one), though there are many worldwide. These are ‘owned by nobody’, so marine creatures are left alone, free from human interference.
If you eat fish, look for brands certified to not use by-catch methods, to help creatures and reduce ghost fishing waste.
If slavery statues have been removed in Bristol – why are statues celebrating its whaling history, still standing in Whitby, Yorkshire?
Whale and Dolphin Conservation is England’s main charity to save our marine friends. Choose this charity at easyfundraising, and when you buy something from a participating store or serve, a portion goes to them, it doesn’t cost you anything.
It also runs a whale lottery (costs less than the National Lottery, and you have more chance of winning the top prize of £10K).
How to Help Stranded and Injured Whales
If concerned about any marine creature, call British Divers Marine Life Rescue (RSPCA and Coastguard can also put you through).
You can take Marine Mammal Medic Course, to join rescue volunteers (you must have a smartphone – and receive a lifejacket and insurance for the first year).
If you find a whale needing help:
- Keep yourself safe by steering clear of thrashing tails and high tides, and put on gloves.
- Keep the area quiet, and upright the whale (if on its side) by gently rolling onto its underbelly (ask for help). Dig trenches under the pectoral fins, so the whale can ‘hang’ comfortably.
- If the whale is stranded on land, pour water over it, to keep skin moisture. Never pour water into the blowhole (this is the whale’s nostril). Instead drape soaked seaweed on its body (again, not over the blowhole).
Meet the Whales (an around the world adventure)
Meet the Whales is a fun around-the-world trip, to meet eight species of whales. Learn about them and their habitats, and find a map of the world showing ‘whale hotspots’ and a size comparison spread!
Delve below the ocean surface to meet some of the most beautiful and diverse creatures on earth including:
- Blue whales (the largest creatures ever to have lived)
- Narwhales (can survive below sea ice)
- Sperm whales (largest and noisiest toothed whales!)
- Dolphins (highly intelligent toothed whales)
- Orcas (killer whales – stay with mum for life!)
Packed with fun illustrations and educational content, see the fun fact files to become an expert on these watery wonders!
Kate Peridot writes children’s books from her home in the south of France. She studied creative writing at The London School of Journalism and when not writing, likes to hike, swim and explore the world.
Illustrator Becca Hall lives in Cornwall, and graduated from Manchester School of Art with a first class honours degree. When not painting, she can be found surfing, walking with her dogs or enjoying a cuppa and slice of cake in one of the many local tea rooms.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (how to help!)
British Divers Marine Life Rescue is our national charity of wonderful volunteer marine mammal medics, who are on the other end of the phone, if you find a stranded, injured or orphaned marine creature – dolphin, seal, turtle, whale or shark.
The website has heaps of advice on how to help (this can be roughly condensed into):
- Don’t spook anything (like seal pups) as they could drown or freeze in the sea
- Call them (the police, RSCPA or coastguard can put you through too)
- Give information and location on what’s wrong
- Let them guide you through what to do, until help arrives.
In most cases, there is a lot you can do, but it’s important to follow the advice. For instance, never pour water into a whale’s blowhole (this is like our nostrils, and can stop them breathing).
BDMLR has a nationwide team across the UK (and channel islands) of highly-trained volunteers who can come out and help all creatures.
How to help BDMLR
It’s obvious really. Don’t drop litter on the beach, and leave all marine creatures in peace. Never use jet skis (these drive wedges to separate mothers and their young, as well as causing injuries and noise pollution.
The charity has recently helped to launch the nationwide Give Seals Space campaign (to ask the government to change its mind about not including seals under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to give them protection).
Fancy becoming a marine medic yourself?
All you have to do is look up upcoming courses. You then have to be on call and receive a certificate. You need a smartphone to be added to the volunteer list, to download the app for rescue notifications.
The charity is also very keen for local vets and vet nurses to attend their courses, as that’s more support to help local marine creatures, especially if they need to be transferred locally to a medical facility.
Apparently the ‘dummy whales’ are so lifelike, that willing people on the beach, often rush over to help! On a serious note, that means that everyone cares. So get involved if you live near a beach, and be prepared to be a local marine creature hero, if the need arises!
