Thailand Sets Sail for Change: New Laws Safeguard Whales and Dolphins, Elevating Eco-Tourism Prospects

Bangkok, Thailand — A significant step toward safeguarding marine biodiversity was taken on September 4, 2025, when the Thai Cabinet approved new regulations to protect several key marine mammals. The regulations officially classify humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, and Risso’s dolphins as protected species under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 2019, marking a transformative initiative in Thailand’s marine conservation efforts. The newly established law prohibits hunting, trading, and transporting these species unless specifically authorized for zoological purposes. Possession of these animals or their parts will also necessitate a special license. With these measures, officials … Read more

Urgent Legal Battle Unfolds to Save World’s Rarest Dolphins from Extinction

Wellington, New Zealand — The Māui dolphin, numbering only between 30 to 50 in the wild, navigates the precarious waters off the western coast of New Zealand’s North Island, holding the unwanted title of the world’s rarest marine dolphin. These critically endangered mammals, known for their intelligence and complex social structures, face threats primarily from entanglement in fishing nets designed to capture commercial seafood. To combat this urgent conservation issue, Earthjustice and Law of the Wild took significant legal steps by filing a lawsuit in the United States Court of International Trade on December 4, … Read more