Wildlife Conservation Day, observed annually on December 4th, reminds us of the urgency to protect the world’s incredible biodiversity. But conservation doesn’t happen in a day- it’s an ongoing effort that requires passion, action, and hard work from dedicated people.
ORCA is committed to safeguarding marine wildlife, from majestic whales to playful dolphins. We want to ensure that future generations can experience the wonder of our oceans. In this week’s blog, Ocean Conservationist Gemma investigates five reasons to join ORCA’s mission this Wildlife Conservation Day and make a lasting impact.
1. ORCA Empowers Everyone to Protect Marine Life
One of the reasons I was drawn to joining ORCA was how it puts power into the hands of people from all walks of life. Through our citizen science programmes, volunteers can help to monitor and collect vital data about whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans). You don’t need to be a marine biologist to join us and make a difference - just passion and a desire to protect our oceans. The impact we can have when we work together is greater. By joining ORCA, you can be a part of the bigger effort to protect our oceans.
2. ORCA Addresses the Biggest Threats to Cetaceans
Cetaceans are facing immense pressure due to human activity, from vessel strikes to entanglement in fishing gear, noise pollution, overfishing of prey, and climate change. ORCA is at the forefront of addressing these issues, working with industry partners, policymakers, and other scientists to help mitigate the harmful effects of human activity on cetaceans. As someone who has been lucky enough to witness the beauty of whales, dolphins, and porpoises first hand, it’s heart-breaking to think of what they are facing but being a part of ORCA’s mission and contributing towards data collection which can be used to protect these wonderful animals gives me hope that we can turn the tide.
3. Our Data Has Real World Impacts
ORCA isn’t just about raising awareness but using our data to make real change. Through our surveys and data collection, we’ve helped to inform policy and mitigation efforts to help safeguard marine life. ORCA’s research helps to make the oceans safer for the fascinating and ecologically important cetaceans that we love. By supporting our work, you can help to make sure these results keep happening and help us in the fight to protect our oceans. If you want to take a hands-on approach, you could train and join us as a volunteer. You can subscribe to a monthly membership, purchase whale-related items from our online store, or make a donation. No matter how you choose to support us, you are directly contributing to the conservation of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
4. Building Partnerships to Amplify Impact
At ORCA, we recognise that the fight to protect marine life is too big for any one organisation to tackle alone. That’s why we are so grateful to have built strong partnerships with industry and other researchers. By collaborating with other organisations, we can amplify our efforts, expand our reach, and push for policy changes that benefit cetaceans worldwide. By supporting ORCA’s work, you can help us to continue our collaborative efforts to protect cetaceans. Together, we can make a genuine difference.
5. ORCA Provides Training on Vessel Strike Mitigation
Supporting ORCA helps to reduce the impacts of one of the biggest threats to whales globally - vessel strike. We work with shipping companies, cruise lines, and ferry operators and provide training to their crews on how to avoid collisions with cetaceans. This includes guidance on spotting cetaceans, adjusting speeds, and navigating critical habitats responsibly. These efforts make a real difference in safeguarding vulnerable populations from this major conservation threat. We also deploy our trained Marine Mammal Surveyors to acts as watchkeepers in high-risk areas, allowing them to provide real time advice to the crew and pilots.
Wildlife Conservation Day is a great reminder of the urgent need to protect our planet- but conservation is a year-round commitment. In our rapidly changing oceans, our work to protect cetaceans is more urgent than ever. By supporting ORCA, you’re not just making a difference on one day - you’re helping to safeguard the future of marine life. Whether you join us as a citizen scientist, subscribe to a membership, or organise a fundraiser, your involvement has a real impact. Join ORCA today and help us continue our mission to keep our seas alive with whales, dolphins and porpoises for generations to come.
Our dedicated volunteers play a crucial role for ORCA, donating their valuable time so that important marine mammal habitats can be studied and monitored. Do you want to get involved with our Marine Mammal Surveyor trips in 2025? Our next course takes place in February!