Back in 1982 at a conference in Brighton 39 governments voted to suspend the hunting of whales. Thirty years on, WhaleFest 2012 will take place in the very same building where that momentous vote was taken – the Hilton Brighton Metropole. The event is an opportunity to reflect on this success as well as raise awareness and find solutions to the number of threats that exist for whales and dolphins worldwide today. Hundreds of thousands are caught and drown in fishing nets, and millions are affected by pollution, over fishing, habitat loss, climate change, and continuing demand for marine attractions. In fact since the ban an entire dolphin species, the Yangtze River Dolphin has become extinct and nine of the remaining 87 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise remain endangered or critically endangered.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday there will be a series of fascinating and inspiring films to watch, talks to listen to and activities especially designed to appeal to kids. There will be an opportunity to see a life-size Blue Whale, a mammal so vast that their tongue alone can weigh as much as an elephant and so loud they produce sounds more powerful than a jet engine.
Co-founded by two deeply passionate and committed colleagues their goal is to raise awareness and help save whales and dolphins from the threats they face using events like Whalefest to gain exposure, raise support and funds that can be used to make significant changes worldwide.
