"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
It’s on the island of Lipsi, south of Samos in the eastern Aegean.
The hope is that these rescued dolphins will have a safe place to live out their lives, and also end their exploitation in zoos and marinas. They say there are nearly 3,000 dolphins in captivity around the world and hope that by providing this sanctuary, they will help change worldwide perception of animals in captivity.
It is hoped that the knowledge gained by helping these dolphins can be used by scientists around the world. The Institute exists to defend nature. It has over 20 years research and now it’s taken action to create this first dolphin sanctuary.
The majority of the krill fishing industry has agreed to voluntarily stop fishing in sensitive Antarctic waters. And it’s backing the campaign for ocean sanctuaries in the Antarctic.
Penguins, whales and other Antarctic wildlife that feed on krill will be very relieved.
And when the Antarctic Ocean Commission meet in October to decide on a massive Sanctuary, the influential krill industry won't be standing in the way.
Greenpeace started campaigning on the krill industry back in April. And the public piles on the pressure –
Over 45,000 emails went to Holland & Barrett calling on them to ditch krill oil products fished from areas that need protection.
Over 11,000 tweets and Facebook messages went to Boots, calling on them to stop sourcing krill oil products from sensitive Antarctic waters
Stickered krill products with the message on Holland and Barrett and Boots shelves nationwide,
Visited over 30 Boots shops with 'krill-o-meters' which asked people to choose between an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary and industrial krill fishing.
More people contacted stores stocking dodgy krill products. Superdrug, Morrisons, Nature’s Best and others listened to customer concerns.
Greenpeace says, “This is a major step forward on the road to protecting the Antarctic. With many krill fishing companies now joining the 1.7 million people across the globe already calling for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary, we are looking ahead with hope to the Antarctic Ocean Commission's meeting in October.”
The UK Government is part of an Antarctic Ocean Commission which has pledged to protect the Antarctic, so you can urge it to stand up for ocean protection and support the creation of the world’s largest Antarctic ocean sanctuary.
Play a part and add your voice to get governments to act and protect the Antarctic.
Now past Chilean President Michele Bachelet has signed a decree creating 9 marine reserves which protects 4,000 miles of coastline.
President Bechelet ends her term of office this week. She believes that Chile needed to establish the basis on which to conserve its marine territory for the future.
The decree will increase the area of sea under the protection of the Chilean government from 4.3% to 42.4%. It will protect marine life in about 1.4 million square kilometres of sea.
One of the new reserve covers the waters around the Diego Ramirez Islands. Sea lions, kelp forests and whales make this their home.
Let's hope her successor will continue to take similar steps to preserve the country's marine life.
The Scottish Government is to consult the public on the creation of new marine protected areas - MPAs.
Four marine reseres are set to be established to protect dolphins and whales in their Scottish breeding and nursey aresa.
The areas are:
North East Lewis
The Sea of the Hebrides
Shiant East Bank (around the Outer Hebrides)
The Southern Trench (from the sea off Buckie to Peterhead)
The Sea of the Hebrides is known to be a vital breeding spot for basking sharkes. Risso's and bottlenose dolphins, along several whale species, frequent all the areas.