Founded in 1974 as a campaigning organization to stop whaling, Project Jonah is today involved in marine mammal rescue and operates on a national and international level to promote ocean wildlife conservation. From advocating for protection of the endangered Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) to fighting offshore drilling, this registered charity is an important part of marine mammal conservation in New Zealand.
Project Jonah Addresses Whaling and Dolphin Drive Fisheries
Starting with early efforts to stop whaling, Project Jonah has expanded to address other issues affecting New Zealand marine mammal conservation. The organization was fundamental to getting the Customs Import (Whale Products) Prohibition Regulations 1975 passed. They then pushed the New Zealand government to rejoin the International Whaling Commission, this time as anti-whaling advocates.
Project Jonah is actively campaigning against the dolphin drive hunts in Japan, adding a perspective that not all wildlife conservation organizations have focused on. In their campaigns they remind people that some of the animals from the dolphin drive fishery end up in captivity. They advocate against any marine mammals being kept in captivity, a more controversial approach than simply suggesting that Japan stop dolphin drive hunts.
Protecting the Ocean Environment From Marine Debris and Offshore Oil Exploration
Recognizing that a healthy ocean environment is necessary for marine mammals to survive, Project Jonah works to reduce the use of plastics, many of which find their way into the sea and result in whales, dolphins and seals being entangled. The organization’s public education and awareness campaigns focus on preventing plastics and other debris from getting into the marine environment.
Although not enough is known about the impacts of oil spills on whales and dolphins, the contamination of their environment is likely to have some effect on their health. For New Zealand’s fur seals, oil spills have a direct negative effect, especially on pups whose fur keeps them warm, much like an otter’s does. Fighting offshore oil exploration and educating the public on reducing petroleum product consumption is Project Jonah’s way of helping.
Safeguarding Endangered Hector’s and Maui’s Dolphins
Endangered Hector’s dolphins and the even more critically endangered subspecies, the Maui’s or North Island Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori ssp. Maui) are native to New Zealand waters. Raising awareness of the threats to these tiny cetaceans, which include entanglement in fishing nets and ship strikes, is one aspect of protecting these dolphins. Project Jonah is working to change fishing regulations and gear use, in addition to educating recreational boaters about behavior around dolphins.
Marine Mammal Medics Save Stranded Whales, Dolphins and Seals
Perhaps the most dramatic work that Project Jonah does within New Zealand is responding to the regular occurrence of whale and dolphin mass strandings. As one of the three whale stranding hotspots of the world, the Marine Mammal Medics of the organization are used to the sight of several hundred marine mammals on the beach at one time.
Over the years Project Jonah has developed rescue techniques, including the use of pontoons to float whales and dolphins off the beach, which are being used in other parts of the world today. With a core of highly trained volunteers like Sheryl Gibney, who serves as their Chief Stranding Technical Advisor, the organization has dramatically improved their success rates in getting these stranded cetaceans safely back to sea.
As New Zealand’s most widely recognized marine mammal conservation organization, Project Jonah has done a lot to raise awareness of the issues affecting whales, dolphins and seals. Their ongoing efforts to improve the environment for these marine mammals and ensure the welfare of individual animals will be needed for some time to come.
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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