WORLD WHALE DAY

WORLD WHALE DAY

Today, July 23, is the 30th times is World Day of whales and dolphins (World Whale Day). This day was established in 1986, at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which after 200 years of merciless extermination imposed a ban on the extermination of these animals. With this year's whale hunting declared illegal. The ban is valid until today, extending also to sell whale meat.

Initially activities were aimed for rescue and conservation populations of whales, but after July 23 had been a reminder of the need for conservation of marine mammals.

Every year on this day various conservation organizations in different countries conduct thematic actions dedicated to the protection of whales and dolphins. Sometimes on this day sounded appeals for the protection of other species that are in danger of extinction.

For the Ukraine this holiday is important, at since in the Black and Azov Seas living of three populations dolphins – Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). All of them are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.