How to Help Save Whales

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 11, 2022 References

Whales are facing major obstacles in oceans around the globe. Every day whale populations are affected by climate change, pollution, human-created noise in the ocean, and overfishing. You can help save whales by supporting the efforts of conservation organizations that are working to stop harmful practices that affect whales. You can also take direct action by contacting your government representatives and urging them to support whale conservation efforts.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Direct Action

1
Contact the International Whaling Commission. Write a letter to your country's representative on the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Visit the Humane Society International website. Then click the link to tell your IWC representative that you care about the fate of the world's whales.
- Tell your IWC representative that you want the commission to close loopholes that allow Japan, Iceland, and Norway to continue killing whales.^{[2]
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2
Speak out against seismic and sonar testing. Sonar and seismic testing threaten whale populations in coastal areas. Much of this testing is done by oil and gas companies or by federal agencies, like the United States Navy. Urge your government to stop sonar and seismic testing.^{[3]
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- Try writing a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service and urge them to protect whales from seismic and sonar testing.
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3
Sign a petition to stop whaling. One way to take direct action is by signing a petition to stop whaling in countries like Japan, Iceland, or Norway. You can add your name to a growing list of global citizens who oppose the continuation of whaling practices.^{[4]
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- You can find global and local petitions on websites like change.org.
4
Organize a letter writing campaign. One letter is powerful, but ten, twenty, or even a hundred letters can have a larger impact. Get together a group of friends, family, colleagues, or classmates and ask them to all write letters to governments representatives on a particular issue concerning whales.^{[5]
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- Try having a group of people work with the organization Save the Whales to send a flurry of letters to the Norwegian Embassy asking the Norwegian government to stop supporting the whaling industry.
5
Host a community event. It is important to inform others in your community about the threats faced by whale populations around the globe. Consider organizing a community event where attendees can learn about threats to whales like Japan's black-market whale meat trade, the effects of climate change on whales, and government loopholes that allow whaling to continue.^{[6]
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- Try screening a movie, hosting a dance party, or facilitating a round table community conversation about whales.
- Consider taking donations at the event and giving them to an organization with an active anti-whaling campaign, like Greenpeace.
6
Support efforts to curb climate change. Warming oceans and diminishing sea ice are affecting whale habitats around the globe. Contact your government representatives and tell them to support international, national, and local efforts to curb carbon emissions and fight global warming.^{[7]
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Avoid products that contain whale meat. Japan is free to ignore the statutes of the International Whaling Commission, and thereby sets its own quotas and standards for whaling. Meat from Japan's so-called “research whaling” is then packaged and sold on international markets. Avoid consuming whale meat or buying products made from whales.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Supporting Conservation Efforts

1
Join a conservation organization. One of the most effective ways you can help save whales is by joining an organization that is actively working to stop practices that harm whales. You can become a member of a conservation organization with a small donation. Students can usually join for a reduced fee.
- Support an organization like the World Wildlife Fund or Greenpeace, which are both working to help save whales.
2
Consider an ongoing monthly gift. One of the most important ways you can help whale populations is with a continuing donation to a conservation organization. Instead of making a one-time gift, consider setting up a monthly donation in a smaller amount.^{[9]
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National Resources Defence Council
Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action
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- Try making a monthly donation to a conservation organization like the Natural Resources Defense Council.
3
Adopt a whale. Some organizations allow individuals to make a symbolic whale adoption. For a donation to the organization, you can symbolically adopt a whale while donating cash to the cause. Many organizations will give you a personalized adoption certificate commemorating your adoption.^{[10]
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- Try adopting a whale through an organization like Defenders of Wildlife.

Community Q&A

Question

Why can't we ban killing whales in all countries?

Community Answer

Generally because the world is not under the same government so it is not fully illegal. You also have to bear in mind that some small villages kill whales but they use every part of it and nothing goes to waste and the whale is pretty much what they survive on. Though there have been many attempts to stop illegal poaching and waste it has not totally worked.
Question

How much money does it take to save one whale?

Community Answer

It depends on how endangered the whale species is, and which organizations are promoting it. In most scenarios, the programs promoting whale saving take more than half the money sent in to pay for staff and themselves. Look for direct organizations.
Question

What does adopting a whale mean? Surely you don't mean I'm going to own my own pet whale?

Community Answer

You donate money to help the species, or help an individual whale in the recovering process. Often they will send you periodic updates about "your" whale, so you can see where your money is going.