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MPs probe protection of marine mammals

8 September 2022

The health of marine mammal populations, including dolphins and whales, is to be the subject of an inquiry by the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. The inquiry’s first evidence session will be held at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 13 September in The Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Westminster.

Purpose of the session

The aim of the inquiry is better to understand the role the UK can play in protecting these creatures. 

The committee will look at various issues including:  

  • the latest data on marine mammal populations;
  • threats to marine mammals including bycatch, pollution, climate change and hunting; and
  • the role of the UK Government in protecting these species in UK waters and internationally. 

Witnesses

Tuesday 13 September 2022, 2.30pm

Panel 1  

  • Prof David Lusseau, Professor of Marine Sustainability, Technical University of Denmark and member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature – via Zoom
  • Dr Carol Sparling, Director, Sea Mammal Research Unit
  • Rob Deaville, Project Manager, UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme 

Panel 2  

  • Chris Butler Stroud, Chief Executive, Whale & Dolphin Conservation in the UK
  • Lucy Babey, Deputy Director and Head of Science & Conservation, ORCA, a conservation charity
  • Mark Simmonds OBE, Director of Science, Ocean Care, a research and campaign organisation

Further information

Image: Unsplash