Whales

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

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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

Federal Judge Halts Oil Lease in Alaska to Protect Endangered Beluga Whales

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Anchorage, Alaska — A significant legal decision on Tuesday saw a federal judge nullify a 2021 oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet, spotlighting the environmental concerns surrounding Alaska’s endangered beluga whales. The federal waters southwest of Anchorage, which were initially opened for exploration, will now see a halt in activities following the ruling that condemned the environmental assessments as insufficient. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason agreed with environmental advocates that the government’s environmental review failed to adequately consider impacts on the local beluga whale population and other ecological effects. The sole lease … Read more

Federal Judge Halts Alaska Offshore Drilling to Protect Endangered Beluga Whales

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Anchorage, Alaska — A federal court has recently overturned an offshore drilling project in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, striking a significant victory for environmentalists. The decision to block the venture underlines ongoing tensions between energy development and environmental conservation. The disputed action was part of mandatory offshore drilling lease sales driven by the Inflation Reduction Act, a resolution heavily influenced by Senator Joe Manchin as a trade-off for promoting offshore wind projects, which are a central focus of the Biden administration. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason decided on Tuesday that the federal environmental review inadequately addressed … Read more

Conservative Groups Sue Biden Administration to Halt World’s Largest Wind Energy Project, Citing Threat to Endangered Whales

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Washington, D.C. – A federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. is pitting green energy against the preservation of endangered whales. Three conservative groups, the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), the Heartland Institute, and the National Legal and Policy Center, are suing the Biden administration and Dominion Energy over the proposed Virginia Offshore Wind project. The project, touted as the world’s largest wind energy venture, could potentially harm the North Atlantic right whale. The 61-page complaint lists the Interior Department, the Commerce Department, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the … Read more