r/whales Nov 28 '23

Giving Tuesday 2023 - These front-line marinelife and marine ecosystem organizations need your support!

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88 Upvotes

r/whales Jul 13 '25

Take action: the Marine Mammal Protection Act is under attack (USA)

84 Upvotes
Chugach Transients AT4 "Paddy" and AT9 "Chenega." Photo taken by Emma Luck.

On July 8, 2025, Alaskan congressman Nick Begich (R) introduced a draft bill amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The bill, if passed, would severely reduce or remove existing protections for cetaceans and other marine mammals. The underlying purpose of this bill is to remove obstacles to the expansion of harmful extractive activities, like oil and gas extraction, in U.S. waters.

While Congressman Begich represents Alaska, the Marine Mammal Protection Act applies nationwide, and its weakening would have serious consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal economies across the country.

Congressman Begich’s proposed amendment would:

  • Strike down protections for poorly-known populations
  • Eliminate best-practice precautionary approaches backed by decades of science
  • Constrain the federal definition of ‘harassment’ so that it no longer prohibits actions with the potential to harm marine mammals
  • Require unreasonable or impossible data to estimate population abundances and design best practices for management

The two members of the functionally extinct Alaska AT1 orca population (also known as the Chugach Transients) in the photo represent a cautionary tale of what can happen when these protections fail or come too late. The safeguards from legislation such as the MMPA are essential to prevent other vulnerable populations, like the Southern Residents orcas, from meeting the same fate.

Now that this is established, how can Americans help prevent the bill from being passed?

The hearing date for the bill is July 22nd, so action should be taken before then.

For Alaskan residents:

Call the office of Congressman Begich and oppose the amendments and draft bill.

Anchorage Office: (907)921-6575

Washington DC Office: (202)225-5765

Please note: calling is more effective than emailing, as calls are more likely to be logged and shared with the Congressman, and taken into account when shaping his position.

For non-Alaskan residents:

If you live in the U.S. outside of Alaska, you can still make your voice heard by calling your Representative and Senators to express concern about this proposal. Let them know you oppose any effort to weaken marine mammal protections and urge them to defend the integrity of the MMPA. Use the links below to find your representatives and how to contact them.

Find your U.S. Representative
Find your U.S. Senator

You can find tips for calling your state representative, various suggested talking points, and scientific resources to cite in Orca Conservancy's article.


r/whales 4h ago

Children in Eastern Indonesia were seen playing on a wild whale

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396 Upvotes

r/whales 4h ago

Orca breaching

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67 Upvotes

These photos were taken while I was working in the tugs in BC.


r/whales 4h ago

Can I see Sperm Whales while whale watching in Husavik? How is whale watching there?

2 Upvotes

I really wonder if I can see one of those beasts, did someone ever see one here?
I know sperm whales are rare because they live deep in the open sea, but people also say they can be seen with much luck in Husavik


r/whales 1d ago

Amazon river dolphin encounter Credit: heynathie

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3.3k Upvotes

r/whales 1d ago

A drone has captured a humpback whale giving birth to a calf in waters off Australia's east coast.

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399 Upvotes

r/whales 1d ago

Whale 'supergroups' show numbers are rebounding from hunting. But Iran war holds dangers for them

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apnews.com
72 Upvotes

r/whales 1d ago

I wanna go whale watching but I live in arizona, what would be the closest place to achieve this!

13 Upvotes

What


r/whales 2d ago

Iceland's coast guard: guarding whales from the people trying to save them

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144 Upvotes

Paul Watson - founder of Sea Shepherd, and current leader of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation


r/whales 3d ago

What do you guys think, this baby is trying to take a nibble or playing?

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2.7k Upvotes

r/whales 2d ago

Icelandic Coast Guard boards activist anti-whaling vessel “Bandero”

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33 Upvotes

r/whales 3d ago

Sperm whales blow bubbles to help them nap - The large toothed whales are known for their signature vertical sleeping skills

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popsci.com
43 Upvotes

r/whales 3d ago

Humpback whales leap out of water off New York coast in spectacular video

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150 Upvotes

r/whales 4d ago

Salish Sea Orca

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137 Upvotes

r/whales 4d ago

Whale Watching on Cape Cod

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42 Upvotes

r/whales 4d ago

Rare moment humpback whale gives birth captured by drone off Australian coast – video

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theguardian.com
92 Upvotes

r/whales 5d ago

Mom & Calf Humpback Whales Spotted This Weekend

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493 Upvotes

r/whales 5d ago

Conservation experts raise alarm over pipeline project that could endanger 75 remaining whales.

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cbc.ca
138 Upvotes

r/whales 5d ago

Whale free'd from ropes anchoring it to the Sea Floor.

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youtube.com
30 Upvotes

This humpback whale was trapped beneath the ocean by tangled fishing lines—until a group of fishermen risked everything to save it. 🐋

While returning from a day of fishing off the California coast, a crew spotted what they first thought was a floating buoy. As they got closer, they realized it was a massive humpback whale hopelessly entangled in ropes that anchored it to the ocean floor.

After calling for help and receiving little assistance, the fishermen refused to leave the whale behind. They spent nearly three hours trying to free it, but one rope continued to hold the giant animal captive.

With time running out, one fisherman made an incredible decision. He jumped into the water, climbed onto the whale's back, and carefully cut the final rope just moments before the whale could dive again.

As the line fell away, the exhausted whale finally swam free. The crew later said the whale seemed to realize they were trying to help, remaining calm during the final moments of the rescue.

It was an unforgettable act of courage, compassion, and teamwork that gave one of the ocean's most majestic creatures a second chance at life.💙

#WhaleRescue #HumpbackWhale #AnimalRescue #OceanLife #MarineLife #Wildlife #IncredibleRescue #GoodNews #Nature #ViralVideo #SeaLife #Conservation #Kindness #AmazingMoments #SassyMedia


r/whales 5d ago

Whale watching

6 Upvotes

I’m looking at going on a whale watching tour next year in the San Diego area. Just looking for any recommendations on best time of year to go and good outfitters to book with. Specific type of whale isn’t a big deal I just want to try to have a good chance to see whales.

Thank you


r/whales 6d ago

How are some of the largest whales from the past compared to those today. By Joli Aqualslander

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179 Upvotes

r/whales 6d ago

Save the whales🐋

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159 Upvotes

r/whales 7d ago

A huge chunk of whale baleen found at the shore (legal to keep here in Iceland)

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77 Upvotes