Regatta collects videos of whales and dolphins

The China Cup International Regatta (CCIR) Committee is joining hands with the Blue Ribbon Ocean Conservation Association to collect images and videos of whales and dolphins worldwide, aiming to contribute to the protection of ocean and marine life.

Members of the Blue Ribbon Ocean Conservation Association release an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin they rescued back to nature in this undated photo. Photos courtesy of the China Cup International Regatta Committee

Global individuals and organizations, especially those participating in the 15th CCIR, are encouraged to submit their entries. These can include videos or recordings showcasing personal encounters with whales and dolphins, and accounts of involvement in their rescue efforts.

The 15th CCIR opens today and will run through Monday.

Members of the Blue Ribbon Ocean Conservation Association give a rescue to a rough-toothed dolphin in Wanning, Hainan Province, in July.

Participants are urged to provide essential information, such as the time and location of the footage, personal details, and a self-recorded video expressing their thoughts on whale and dolphin protection. Submissions can be sent via email to whaledolphin@foxmail.com before Nov. 30, the project’s first-round collection deadline.

Assciation members resuce a Fraser's dolphin in Wenchang, Hainan Province, in October 2022.

The CCIR committee and the association intend to employ the collected entries to create social media content aimed at raising awareness about the living conditions of these creatures and advocating for improved protective measures for marine life and the oceans.

Cetaceans, including whales and dolphins, constitute an entirely aquatic group of mammals. Porpoises are also part of this group. Most cetaceans reside in the ocean, while a few live in freshwater environments. The presence of cetaceans serves as a crucial indicator for assessing the health of marine ecosystems.