Blog

Written by Conservation Coordinator Shelby Serra PWF’s Bycatch Mitigation Efforts  For the last 40 years, Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) has been a leader in developing science-based solutions to address major stressors affecting the health of our ocean. Using our research...

  Research activities conducted under NMFS research permit #21321 and the UAV operator holds an unmanned aerial system (UAS) license certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Drones are more popular than ever, and it is no surprise due to their increase...

Written by Conservation Coordinator Shelby Serra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IrYg7fisNQ The previous installment of our series on fisheries interactions touched on the commercial fishing industry’s interactions with whales and dolphins, examining the many factors that play a role in the bycatch of cetaceans in fishing gear including gear type and status (active or abandoned), fishing...

The unmitigated rush of witnessing a breaching whale or a pod of dolphins playfully escorting a vessel as it churns through ocean waters has resulted in a rapidly expanding global whale-watching industry that annually generates billions of dollars in revenue....

Written by Conservation Coordinator Shelby Serra Figure 1. An Ancient Egyptian portrayal in the Tomb of Qenamun of fishing Fishing – from meager to monstrous    Fish as a means of nourishment have been an integral component of human history for millennia. However, in the...

Written by Research Analyst Florence Sullivan Looking back on a turbulent year, the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Research Department is grateful for the unceasing support of our members, donors, and supporters. Like everyone, we had to adapt our operations to accommodate safety measures,...

Author: Conservation Coordinator Shelby Serra Nature-based experiences can contribute to individuals’ connection to nature and intentions toward sustainable environmental behaviors . —(Clark et. al. 2019)   After exploring the ins and outs of responsible wildlife-watching rules globally and in the US in the previous installment,...

This past year has been uniquely challenging, but good things happen even during the toughest of times. As the first month of 2021 comes to a close, we would like to reflect on the positives experienced at Pacific Whale Foundation.   Despite the many limitations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we managed to continue engaging our audience with educational programs, raising funds via a...

Author: Conservation Coordinator Shelby Serra In the United States, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) protects whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions from harassment. But what protections exist beyond our waters? As the MMPA is not enforceable with respect to...

Author: Conservation Coordinator Shelby Serra Research conducted opportunistically aboard PWF Eco-Adventures Australia's commercial vessel. Whales were not approached closer than 100 meters, per Australian regulations Intimately observing a humpback whale breach or a mother lovingly shepherd her calf below the brine is a once-in-a-lifetime experience rich with promise. As discussed in the previous...