Society for the Rescue of the Dolphins (GRD)

Society for the Rescue of the Dolphins (GRD)

www.delphinschutz.org

Dolphin protection worldwide

Each year over 300.000 whales and dolphins die as by-catches in fishing nets. In addition, marine acids are threatened by hunting, overfishing, marine pollution, underwater noise, ship collisions or mass tourism. Since 1991, the company has been working with its partners to save dolphins worldwide for the survival of endangered dolphin populations and the protection of their habitats.

Mount Ghostnets

Ghostnets threaten marine biodiversity

There is a problem with marine pollution in all seas, including through ghost networks. Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been deliberately left behind or lost and which, as deadly traps floating in the sea currents, continue to fish indiscriminately and, unfortunately, far too effectively. Estimated 640.000 tonnes of ghost nets kill more than 136.000 seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales and additionally millions of birds, turtles, fish and even much smaller organisms that are necessary for the marine ecosystem. Around the world, about 800 species are affected. The living creatures get caught in the long-lived nets, and often drown in agony. Ghostnets pose a huge threat to marine biodiversity

Protecting habitats

Dolphin and whale protection project La Gomera

The waters off La Gomera and around the Canary Islands are among the most species-rich regions of the world yet! 29 whale and dolphin species have already been documented here. Many of them are regularly observed. But reckless whaling (such as before Tenerife), collisions with ferries, overfishing and marine pollution threaten the survival of dolphins and whales before La Gomera.

This marine area urgently needs to be protected from excessive use. And this is where the work of the project begins. The development of protection concepts is therefore one of its central tasks. In addition, the influence of man on the dolphins and whales in front of La Gomera is investigated. This also serves to establish rules for sustainable Whalewatching

Stop dying

South Africa: Protection project for lead-coloured dolphins

Since 2017, we have been supporting South African marine biologist Shanan Atkins and her team of Humpack Dolphin Research from Johannesburg and Richards Bay (KwaZulu-Natal). Together we want to prevent the extinction of lead-coloured dolphins in South Africa. Richards Bay is an important place and by-catch hotspot for lead-coloured dolphins. They like to come here and often they die here. Because only shark nets installed on the beaches of Richards Bay are responsible for 60 per cent of all by-catches of lead-coloured dolphins in South Africa!