Fact Sheets & Resources

Fact Sheets

Concise fact sheets for almost 30 common whale, dolphin, and porpoise species are on the ACS National website: cetacean fact sheets.

Links for Research, Education, and Conservation

• American Cetacean Society National Headquarters
  The American Cetacean Society is the oldest whale conservation group in the world. Founded in 1967, it is a non-profit, volunteer membership organization with regional U.S. chapters and members in 22 countries.
• Cascadia Research
  Cascadia Research, is a non-profit research organization based in Olympia, WA, which has conducted scientific research and education for the past 27 years. Since its incorporation in 1979, Cascadia Research has received grants and contracts, primarily from government agencies, to pursue research in a variety of areas. Most of this research has been in the fields of marine mammal and bird biology, animal behavior, ecology, and pollution ecology.
• Center for Coastal Studies
  The Center for Coastal Studies is a private non-profit organization for research, conservation and education in the coastal and marine environments. Founded in 1976 in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
• Center for Whale Research
  The Center for Whale Research was founded in 1976 to promote, conduct and support benign research on marine mammals of the Order Cetacea - whales, dolphins and porpoises. The research method is primarily long term (multi-year) photo-identification of individuals within populations, which provides baseline data for demographic and behavioral studies. The knowledge gained from these studies is provided to the scientific community, to governments, to the public and to conservation organizations.
• Cetacean Society International
  The Cetacean Society International is an all volunteer, non-profit conservation, education, and research organization based in the United States, with volunteer representatives in 26 countries around the world. The goal of the Cetacean Society International is to achieve on a global basis the "optimum utilization of cetacean resources" [1946 International Whaling Commission Treaty] through benign utilization and the elimination of all killing and captive display of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
• Dolphin Institute
  The Dolphin Institute (TDI) is the not-for-profit arm of the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii. TDI is dedicated to the study and preservation of dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals, and to the education of people whose attitudes and activities affect the survival and well-being of these animals.
• European Cetacean Society
  The European Cetacean Society (ECS) was formed in January 1987 at a meeting of 80 cetologists (whale and dolphin biologists) from 10 European countries. The objectives of the Society are to promote and co-ordinate the scientific study and conservation of cetaceans; and to gather and disseminate information about cetaceans to Members of the Society and the public at large.
• Marine Animal Rescue Society
  The Marine Animal Rescue Society (MARS) is a federally recognized non-profit organization with a letter of authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Services to rescue, rehabilitate and release stranded marine mammals. Founded in 1996 in Miami, Florida.
• Ocean Alliance & Whale Conservation Institute
  The Ocean Alliance encompasses the Whale Conservation Institute and the Voyage of the Odyssey and is dedicated to the conservation of whales and their ocean environment through research and education. The Ocean Alliance's Voyage of the Odyssey will gather the first ever baseline data on the levels of synthetic contaminants throughout the world's oceans.
• Puget Sound Georgia Basin Ecosystem
  The 2006 Puget Sound Georgia Basin Ecosystem Indicators Report, from a partnership between the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian Government, is composed of nine environmental indicators specific to this ecosystem: Population Health, Urbanization and Forest Change, Solid Waste and Recycling, River, Stream and Lake Quality, Shellfish, Air Quality, Marine Species at Risk, Toxics in Harbor Seals and Marine Water Quality. and each indicator is structured around essential questions like "What is Happening?" "How Does This Affect Me?" and "What Can I Do?" The online version also contains many links and references that help navigate priority work on both sides of the border. Each indicator is structured around essential questions like "What is Happening?" “How Does This Affect Me?” and "What Can I Do?"  The online version also contains many links and references that help navigate priority work on both sides of the border.
• Sirenian International
  Sirenian International, Inc., is a grassroots organization of people who share a dedication to manatee & dugong research, education, and conservation through inter-cultural collaboration. We are a partnership of scientists, students, educators, conservationists, and the public. We believe in the process of integrating science, education, and culture to catalyze positive change in our shared environment, Mother Earth.
• Society for Marine Mammalogy
  The Society for Marine Mammalogy is a non-profit organization that seeks to evaluate and promote the educational, scientific and managerial advancement of marine mammal science, and provide scientific information, as required, on matters related to the conservation and management of marine mammal resources. Founded in 1981 in San Francisco, California.
• Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society
  The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, (WDCS) is the world's most active charity dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins and porpoises. Our objectives are to to reduce, and ultimately, eliminate the continuing threats to cetaceans and their habitats, and raise awareness of cetaceans and educate people about the need to address the continuing threats to their welfare and survival. Established in 1987 in Melksham, England.
• Whale Museum
  The Whale Museum is a non-profit organization that promotes stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. Sponsor of multiple programs including the Whale Hotline, SeaSound Remote Sensing Network, and the Orca Adoption Program. Located in Friday Harbor, Washington.
• WhaleNet
  WhaleNet is an enhancement project funded by the National Science Foundation, and sponsored by Wheelock College in Boston, which offers students and teachers curriculum resources and support, a source of data for interdisciplinary classroom activities, and interactive informational support through WhaleNet utilizing the Internet and telecommunications.
• Wild Dolphin Project
  The Wild Dolphin Project (WDP), founded by Dr. Denise Herzing in 1985, is engaged in an ambitious, long-term scientific study of a specific pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins that live 40 miles off the coast of the Bahamas, in the Atlantic Ocean. For about 100 days each year, Phase I research has involved the photographing, videotaping, and audio taping of a group of resident dolphins, aiming to learn about their lives.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, non-profit research facility dedicated to the study of marine science and to the education of marine scientists. It is the largest independent oceanographic institution in the world. Founded in 1930 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.