July 23 – World Whale and Dolphin Day. This day was established in 1986 to mark the entry into force of the International Whaling Commission's ban on commercial whaling, which had been in place since 1982 after more than two centuries.
Since then, the populations of some species have begun to recover, but modern threats persist. These include illegal whaling by countries like Norway and Japan, ocean plastic pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, noise pollution, and collisions with ships.
Scientists emphasize that whales act as "climate heroes": their excrement promotes phytoplankton growth, which absorbs CO₂ emissions. Dolphins, with their high intelligence and social structure, continue to suffer from the same threats – habitat loss and accidental capture.
In many countries, educational events, environmental campaigns, workshops, and excursions are held. In Russia, exhibitions, lectures, and beach cleanups aim to raise awareness about the importance of preserving marine fauna.