Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and welfare of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Accredited with the EU Transparency Register, WDC operates as a recognized lobbying entity within the European Union, actively engaging with policymakers, governmental bodies, and international conventions to advocate for robust protections for cetaceans. Established in the United Kingdom, with a significant presence in Germany and global operations, WDC’s mission is to create a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free.
WDC’s lobbying activities encompass a broad spectrum of legislative and policy issues, including nature protection, marine policy, fisheries management, bycatch prevention, animal welfare, and captive display regulations. The organization is a key stakeholder in the development and implementation of EU directives such as the Habitats and Species Directive, and it plays an active role in international forums like the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). WDC’s advocacy is informed by scientific research, fieldwork, and collaboration with other NGOs, government agencies, and the private sector.
WDC’s approach is multi-faceted, combining direct lobbying with public campaigns, legal action, and coalition-building. The organization has been instrumental in influencing policy changes, such as securing bans on whale meat transit through UK ports, advocating for stricter bycatch regulations, and promoting responsible whale-watching tourism. WDC also leads campaigns against whaling in Iceland, Norway, and Japan, and works to end cetacean captivity in Europe and beyond.
Networking and partnerships are central to WDC’s strategy. The organization collaborates with a diverse array of NGOs, scientific bodies, and corporate partners, including Born Free, Humane Society International, World Animal Protection, World Cetacean Alliance, and others. WDC’s efforts have resulted in tangible conservation outcomes, such as the establishment of the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary and successful legal actions to protect endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale.
Financially, WDC operates as a registered charity in the UK, with transparent reporting of its lobbying expenditures and activities in the EU. The organization’s funding supports a dedicated team of policy experts, scientists, and campaigners who work across Europe and globally to influence legislation, engage stakeholders, and raise public awareness.
WDC’s ongoing priorities include securing greater legal protections for cetaceans, reducing bycatch, ending captivity, and promoting the recognition of whales and dolphins as sentient beings and climate allies. Its work is guided by the twin pillars of “Green Whale” (emphasizing the ecological role of whales) and “Whale Culture” (recognizing the cultural significance and rights of cetaceans).
