Conservation Issues

Conservation is woven into all aspects of our organization at Pacific Whale Foundation, from our decision to use energy-saving LED lighting in our offices to our choice to serve locally grown, locally produced foods whenever available on our eco-adventure cruises. Our ocean ecotours offer us the opportunity to educate hundreds of thousands of people about marine conservation issues each year.

Pacific Whale Foundation tackles specific conservation issues that have a direct impact on the ocean environment and marine life, with a special focus on those that relate to Hawaii and the Pacific. Our scientists and staff have provided expert written and oral testimony at public hearings and in court cases, and we have submitted thousands of petition signatures to advocate for action on important ocean issues. We regularly issue Action Alerts via email to our friends, members and supporters. In addition, we provide our scientific data to groups such as the International Whaling Commission's Scientific Committee and the Southern Ocean Research Partnership, to encourage wise management of whales and the oceans.

Please read about our success stories including our effort to prevent the construction of dolphinariums on Maui, our work to reduce plastic bag pollution and our steps to stop an ultra high speed, super large capacity ferry from operating in humpback whale calving areas in Hawaii.

We invite you to learn about the issues we are currently addressing:

Stop Whaling
Despite the fact that the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has maintained a moratorium on commercial whaling since 1986, three nations continue to hunt whales. Iceland and Norway openly engage in commercial whaling, citing legal objections to the IWC's moratorium. Japan exploits a loophole in the IWC ban that allows whales to be killed for “scientific purposes.” DNA testing has proven that whale meat from these so-called scientific studies is sold commercially. The methods used to kill whales are inhumane and cruel, and there is no need to kill whales for food, scientific research or any other reason. Click here to learn more. 

Help Stop Unregulated Collecting of Hawaii's Reef Fish
If you've ever snorkeled in Hawaii, you are aware of the beautiful reef fish that live among the corals. But did you know that people in the aquarium collecting trade can simply scoop up these beautiful reef fish, put them in plastic bags and ship them off to distributors and stores around the world?  Help us enact needed controls on the aquarium fish collecting trade.

Save Hawaii's Insular False Killer Whales
Hawaii's insular false killer whales are perilously close to extinction. You can help. Please show your support for a National Marine Fisheries Service proposal to add Hawaiian insular false killer whales to the list of species protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Read on.

Choose Sustainable Seafood
Throughout the history of humankind, the ocean has been viewed as a endless resource, providing us with a bountiful supply of wild fish to eat. But today, many wild fish populations are on the verge of collapse due to overfishing and habitat-related issues. Seventy percent of the world's fisheries have been harvested at capacity or are in decline. Scientists estimate that we have removed as much as 90 percent of the large predatory fish such as shark, swordfish and cod from the world's oceans. You can make a difference with your dollars by changing your shopping patterns. Choose fish that come from sustainably managed fisheries and support fishermen who engage in good fisheries management practices. Learn more.