World Cetacean Alliance

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World Cetacean Alliance

The world's largest partnership to protect whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats. 🐋 🐬 We believe that real change comes from working in partnership.

The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is a charity and global partnership. We unite and collaborate with NGOs and non-profits, individuals, research institutes, and responsible tour operators from across the world to help protect whales, dolphins, porpoises and their habitats. Where there is collaboration, there is a shared sense of purpose. By supporting each other, we can safeguard cetaceans and the

places they call home, in harmony with the communities they live alongside, for generations to come. OUR VISION
A world where cetaceans are free, where oceans thrive, and where communities care. OUR MISSION
To protect cetaceans and their habitats through global collaboration.

08/06/2026

For World Oceans Day this year, we’re inviting you to join us in our mission! 🌊 The World Cetacean Alliance was founded on this day in 2013, with the purpose of creating a community to act as the global voice for whales, dolphins, and their ocean homes.

Protecting the oceans for more than a decade hasn’t always been easy. We make our funding go as far as possible, but these are challenging times for non-profit organisations, and we rely on many kinds of support to make our work possible.

To celebrate our anniversary and World Oceans Day, we’re asking you to take action! By providing vital support, you can help us to continue working towards a future where whales and dolphins are free, oceans thrive, and communities care. 💙

How can you help?

🌊 Become a WCA Partner! We welcome everyone with a passion for the ocean and a dedication to working together to protect whales and dolphins. Let us know if you’re interested in joining our global community: https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/get-involved/become-a-partner/

🐋 If you’re a whale and dolphin watching tour operator, apply for our WCA Approved verification to set yourself apart as an industry leader! Becoming WCA Approved is a great way to be internationally recognised for your commitment to sustainability, while also supporting ocean protection: https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/wca-approved/

🐬 Make an impact by donating to support our work! You can gift a one-off or monthly donation, crowdfund with your colleagues, or leave a gift in your will to ensure long-term protection for whales and dolphins. Every contribution, no matter how small, will strengthen our voice and support our efforts worldwide: https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/donate/

(🎥 Thank you to a few of our amazing Partners for sharing why they value being part of the WCA: Capt. Dave's Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari; Prince of Whales Whale Watching; Explore Ocean)

30/05/2026

Happy Whale Heritage Area anniversary to Plettenberg Bay, which became designated three years ago! 🎊🐳

Plettenberg Bay Whale Heritage Area lies within two Marine Protected Areas off the coast of South Africa, forming part of the world-famous Garden Route National Park and Biosphere Reserve. These waters are a crucial feeding and nursery ground for a variety of cetacean species, including endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, resident Bryde’s whales, and migratory Southern right whales.

The area will be holding its annual Plett Ocean Festival and Marine Science Symposium from 3-12 July this year: an unmissable event that combines marine science, conservation, and community engagement! 🌊

Find out more about our Whale Heritage Areas programme here: https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/whale-heritage-areas/

(📷 Photo 1: Indian ocean humpback dolphins by Donna Kalez; 2: Southern right whale mother and calf by Barry Skinstad; 3: reef cleanup at the 2023 Plett Ocean Festival by ProDive Plettenberg Bay; 4: Plettenberg Bay by Rob Travers Smith)

20/05/2026

The record for longest journey ever made by a humpback whale has been broken after a whale was photographed in Bahia, Brazil, and then 15,000km away in Hervey Bay Whale Heritage Area, Australia! 🤯

The previous longest journey was made by a whale who travelled 14,200km in the opposite direction, from Hervey Bay Whale Heritage Area to São Paulo.

Sightings data from WCA Partner Happywhale was used in both cases to confirm the identity of the individual whales and record their incredible journeys.

Stephanie Stack, co-author of a new study about the two whales, said that it was “a good reminder that conservation of our marine resources needs to be collaborative between nations, because these are migratory animals that move across borders and between countries”: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/13/5/260251/481844/First-evidence-of-bidirectional-exchange-between

This global collaboration is the purpose and mission of the WCA! We partner with innovative organisations like Happywhale, and empower coastal communities like Hervey Bay through our Whale Heritage Areas programme, so that together we can make a real difference for whale conservation worldwide. Find out more about our work and how you can support us: https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/

(📷 Photo-ID of the humpback whale in Hervey Bay Whale Heritage Area, by Silke Stuckenbrock via Happywhale, CC0 1.0)

19/05/2026

We are deeply concerned to hear that Wikie and her son Keijo, the two remaining orcas at Marineland Antibes, may be moved to the captive facility Loro Parque before the end of June.

Marineland Antibes has been closed since January 2025, following a recent law banning the display and breeding of captive whales and dolphins in France.

The French Minister of Ecological Transition previously stated that moving the orcas to a marine sanctuary was “the only ethical solution”. However, new reports indicate that the Minister has now approved Marineland’s request to transfer Wikie and Keijo to Loro Parque in Tenerife, where four captive orcas have died since 2021.

The WCA is disappointed that the French Ministry is willing to contradict the intent of their legislation and send Wikie and Keijo to a zoo where they would continue to be exploited for performances and potentially captive breeding.

Last year, Spanish authorities opposed moving the orcas to Loro Parque after a scientific agency found that the zoo’s tanks failed to meet minimum standards. Loro Parque has issued a statement that the transfer will only go ahead with the explicit approval of the Spanish Government, which has not yet been confirmed.

We urge the French Ministry to reconsider their decision and support an ethical solution for Wikie and Keijo. It’s unacceptable that, after spending their lives so far in captivity, these orcas could face many more years of suffering in tanks too small to house them.

The WCA is opposed to keeping any whales or dolphins in captivity, and works in collaboration with other organisations and partners worldwide to put an end to this cruel ‘entertainment’. Please consider donating to support our work protecting these amazing animals and keeping them wild and free: https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/donate/

(📷 Photo of captive orca in Marineland Antibes, by michel3333FR via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

14/05/2026

The United States-Israel war on Iran is threatening whales off the coast of South Africa, where marine traffic has almost doubled due to disrupted shipping routes: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/5/12/why-the-iran-war-is-threatening-whales-near-south-africa

This increased vessel traffic puts whales in direct danger of collisions, also known as ship strikes: one of the greatest threats to large whale species.

The waters off South Africa are important for many different whale populations, including Southern right whales, Bryde’s whales, and large numbers of migrating humpback whales (like the one pictured here).

A report presented this month to the International Whaling Commission proposed measures to protect the whales from the increased marine traffic, including speed reduction programmes and rerouting of traffic lanes away from the coast of South Africa.

We urge all vessel operators in this area to do their part to reduce speeds and save the lives of whales! The WCA’s online training course, ‘Becoming Whale Aware’, is designed for commercial vessel operators to understand how to identify and reduce the risk of collisions with whales. You can take the training now on Thinkific, or get in touch with us to ask about licenses for your crew: https://worldcetaceanalliance.thinkific.com/courses/becoming-whale-aware

(📷 Photo of a humpback whale in Algoa Bay Whale Heritage Area, South Africa, by Jake Keeton of WCA Partner Raggy Charters - Marine-Eco Cruises)

08/05/2026

Save the date: Plettenberg Bay Whale Heritage Area is preparing to host their 5th annual Plett Ocean Festival and Marine Science Symposium from 3-12 July! 🌊

Under the festival’s core theme (“Observe. Conserve. Preserve.”), this milestone event promises to bring together marine science, conservation, and community engagement in a joyful celebration of ocean life.

“We are seeing a shift in how people perceive and protect our marine ecosystems – moving from simple curiosity to meaningful, active stewardship,” explains festival director, Cindy Wilson Trollip.

Visit the official festival website to view the evolving 5th anniversary programme and find out how to get involved: https://www.plettoceanfestival.co.za/

(📷 Photo from last year’s Plett Ocean Festival by Daron Chatz & Chad Mansfield)

06/05/2026

Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf. has announced that it plans to hunt vulnerable fin whales in the upcoming 2026 season, despite their government’s commitment to ban commercial whaling later in the year.

We’re calling on Iceland’s Minister of Industries, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, to intervene and put an end to this cruel industry as soon as possible. Authorising a 2026 hunt is simply unjustifiable, and would betray the will of the Icelandic people, many of whom are opposed to whaling.

The WCA is dedicated to working with our Partners worldwide to turn the tide against whaling, including those who are based in Iceland and have been campaigning against the hunts for many years. We have also joined forces with Seaspiracy and other global organisations to demand a permanent, legislated ban on all commercial whaling activities in Icelandic waters.

We urge Minister Friðriksson to take action now to prevent any further suffering and slaughter of these intelligent, protected animals.

To find out more, read this Oceanographic Magazine article on the issue, which includes a quote from Rannveig Grétarsdottir, founder of WCA Partner Elding Whale Watching: https://oceanographicmagazine.com/news/iceland-stands-on-the-brink-of-resuming-fin-whale-hunt/

(📷 Photo of a Hvalur whaling ship by Dagur Brynjólfsson, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)

01/05/2026

Congratulations to Spirit Of The Sea Tours on becoming WCA Approved! 🎉🏅

WCA Approved is our verification for responsible whale and dolphin watching tour operators. Looking for operators with WCA Approved status is an easy, transparent way of finding businesses that meet the highest standards for ethical and sustainable whale and dolphin watching experiences.

Based in Gran Canaria, Spirit of the Sea offers tours to see a variety of whale and dolphin species in their natural habitat. As part of their efforts to protect the ocean, their team collects lost or discarded fishing gear and other types of plastic pollution during their expeditions and collaborates with a local organisation to recycle the waste. They also rescue injured turtles and birds, taking them to a wildlife recovery centre where the animals can be cared for until they’re able to return to the sea.

Spirit of the Sea says: “Being recognised as the only WCA Approved operator in Gran Canaria is more than just a title to us; it is a testament to our soul. For 27 years, our greatest pride has been rooted in a simple, unwavering philosophy: respecting animals and protecting their environment to truly understand them. This certification validates our lifelong mission to offer encounters that are as ethical as they are unforgettable, ensuring that the wonders of our waters remain protected for generations to come.”

Check out this operator and the experiences they offer at: https://spiritoftheseatours.com/

If you’re a whale and dolphin watching tour operator, you can find out more about WCA Approved here: https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/wca-approved/

(📷 All photos by Spirit of the Sea)

29/04/2026

Popcorn, the albino bottlenose dolphin, has been re-sighted in Algoa Bay Whale Heritage Area! 🤍🙌

Popcorn was first sighted by WCA Partner Raggy Charters - Marine-Eco Cruises as a calf in April 2023, with the most recent encounter recorded in October 2025. After nearly six months without seeing Popcorn, the Raggy Charters team couldn’t help but feel worried for the young dolphin this year, since albino individuals are more likely to stand out and attract predators at sea.

However, we’re glad to report that Popcorn is continuing to beat the odds and was spotted last month amid a 600-strong pod of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins!

Jake Keeton of Raggy Charters said that Popcorn “is now the same size as the adults and appears to be in great condition”, making the albino dolphin’s chances of survival much better from this point on.

You can read more stories like this in the WCA newsletter, delivered to your inbox every month with the latest updates from our Partners and Whale Heritage Areas! Subscribe here: https://tinyurl.com/WCAnews

(📷 Photo by Jake Keeton, Raggy Charters)

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