An article about the award-winning documentary about Keiko, the 1993 “Free Willy” hit movie; the documentary is playing at various film festivals.
www.care2.com/causes/keiko-the-untold-story-documentary-about-free-willy-star.html

According to the media, scientists have identified a large number of whales ever seen in the Antarctic Peninsula. The study, which refers over 300 cetaceans, was published on “PLoS ONE”, which is the highest density (5.1 whales per square kilometer) ever recorded for this species. He experts believe that climactic changes are responsible for the increased densities of both whales and krill. For More Information: http://podium.publico.pt/Ci%C3%AAncias/expedicao-a-antarctida-descobre-a-maior-concentracao-de-baleias-dos-ultimos-20-anos_1491666, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110427171503.htm and www.nicholas.duke.edu/news/record-number-of-whales-krill-found-in-the-antarctic-bays

According to a new survey, 918 blind dolphins were found in the river Indus, between Guddu and Sukkur, an increase from the previous survey. Officials involved in the project, however, stated “No encouraging growth in the dolphin’s population has been observed because of different reasons”. For More Information: www.dawn.com/2011/04/22/blind-indus-dolphin-survey-concludes-in-sindh.html

The family of Dawn Brancheau announced the creation of a foundation named after Mrs Brancheau, which intends "to speak of her love for killer whales", while honoring "the incredible person she was". The family members also explained that they were comfortable with the idea of the killer whales involved in the accident be reintroduced in the public presentations. For More Information: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-04-04/news/os-dawn-brancheau-good-morning-americ20110404_1_tilikum-brancheau-family-seaworld-orlando

According to the media, the Canadian annual seal hunt began in early April; however, and when compared to previous years, few sealers engaged in the hunt. The reduced investment may be related to a "low demand for seal pelts, poor prices and a European Union ban on seal products". Canadian officials estimate the harp seal population to be around nine million specimens (reportedly,"about four times the size it was in the 1970s"), which explains why the 2011 quota this of 400,000 animals ("the highest quota set since 1971"). Traditionally, sealers collect pelts, heart valves (for medical research) and meat. Many national and international NGO continue to fight against this hunt, claiming "This cruel hunt just isn't worth it. Not from an animal welfare perspective, not from the perspective of the sealers and not from an economic perspective for Canadians". For More Information: www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2011/2011-04-13-02.html

An article where one can read that "Japan’s tsunami seems to have succeeded — where years of boycotts, protests and high-seas chases by Western environmentalists had failed — in knocking out a pillar of the nation’s whaling industry. Ayukawahama was one of only four communities in Japan that defiantly carried on whaling and eating whales as a part of the local culture, even as the rest of the nation lost interest in whale meat". According to the author, Ayukawahama is one of four whaling communities (Taiji is another one) that hunt in coastal waters; Mr. Tatsuya Sato was quoted saying “We are so hungry that if they brought a whale ashore now, the whole town would rush down to eat it”. For More Information: www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/world/asia/25whale.html

According to the media, the Navy of the USA "will be allowed to harass marine mammals incidentally while testing sonar systems and operating unmanned submarines in the waters off the state of Washington. The activity is to take place at the Naval Sea Systems Command Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Range Complex". According to the same source, "The Navy expects no harm to come to any marine mammals, but admits that sonar may affect the behavior of some mammals including temporary loss of hearing sensitivity". For More Information: www.courthousenews.com/2011/04/18/35891.htm

An article describing the annual Norwegian whale hunt, "one of just three countries defying the 1986 international ban on commercial whaling". According to the article, Norway (which resumed commercial whaling in 1993) already killed over 9,500 whales and in tends to hunt 1,286 in 2011, between April and August. Many NGO, including the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge and NOAH – for Dyrs Rettigheter, oppose the hunt, as they considered a "cruel, outdated and unnecessary practice". For More Information: www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/commentators/other_comments/834271/hundreds_of_whales_face_slaughter_as_norways_killing_season_resumes.html and www.wspa-international.org/

An article that explains that "Scientists have confirmed the discovery of oil on dead dolphins that have been appearing along the US Gulf coast recently, with oil on some of the dead dolphins linked to the BP oil spill". USA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration believes that the 406 stranded dolphins (over the last 14 months) may have died in connection to the oil from the 2010 BP catastrophe, in the Gulf of Mexico. For More Information: www.digitaljournal.com/article/305472

In India, Gangetic dolphins (an endangered species and one of the four freshwater dolphins in the world) continues to be "killed at an alarming rate" in order to produce oil used in fishing (as, reportedly, it allows an increased catch of two species: "Bachhaba" and "Gheruwa"). According to experts, the species has less than 2,000 individuals. For More Information: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-14/flora-fauna/29416960_1_gangetic-dolphins-dolphin-deaths-large-nets