A giant squid is inflated whilst the gentle sound of bubbles and whale songs drifts through the air Inside the Hilton Brighton Metropole. The Whalefest Fringe prepares for a busy weekend of family fun and educational events as the Save the Whales:Reloaded conference ends in Brighton. October 26th 2012 photo©Julia Claxton
Activists, conservationists, divers, tour operators plus whale and dolphin experts from across the globe and Caroline Lucas MP gather by West Pier and outside the Hilton Brighton Metropole to hear the first public statement on behalf of Save the Whales:Reloaded at the conclusion of this week's conference. 30 years ago, on the steps of Hilton Brighton Metropole, where the conference is taking place, the international ban on whaling was announced following the Save the Whales campaign. Protestors from 30 years ago join new campaigners and supporters to hear the next step in whale and dolphin conservation. Following two days of intensive discussions at the Whale & Dolphin Watch Conference, Dylan Walker of conservation specialist Planet Whale announces a new global agreement for the protection of whales and dolphins. Eric Hoyt of Whale and Dolphin conservation, Caroline Lucas MP, Barbara Maas of Nabu International and Dr Ingrid Visser of Orca Research Trust also addressed the crowd of supporters. This year’s backdrop is a huge mural of a ‘failed whale’ on Brighton seafront, a symbol of the plight of whales and dolphins today. Save the Whales:Reloaded highlights the fact that the whales are far from saved with the Maui Dolphin, North Pacific Right Whale and Vaquita Porpoise all on the brink of extinction and nearly one thousand whales, dolphins, and porpoises dying every day. Already signed up to the campaign are 39 charities and 33 whale watching business, representing 26 counties from across the globe. Whale Fest culminates this weekend with the WhaleFest Fringe - a family friendly event with celebrities such as Bill Oddie attending the 2 day event. More information
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Photo credit: © Julia Claxton / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: 2012, brighton, conservation, east, friday, hilton, marine, metropole, october, pier, save, sussex, uk, week, west, whalefest, whales:reloaded
