Dolphins are intrinsically tied to our culture. They create awareness of the quality of the world's oceans and rivers. Unfortunately, their survival is becoming increasingly difficult. More than a quarter of a million dolphins die every year through by-catch from fisheries, pollution or underwater noise like marine sonar.

To protect dolphins, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) has declared 2007-'08 the UN Year of the Dolphin. This is a call for action to governments, environmental organisations and business community worldwide to come into action now. The response of the Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC) has been to create a Dolphin Fund, in agreement with UNEP and the European Cetacean Society (ECS). It aims to support important projects for marine mammals and their habitat, with a small grant programme.

The Dolphin Fund is an international foundation but without expensive overheads: we have no office with own staff. The Dolphin Fund is operated though a secretariat of provided by EUCC in Leiden (NL) at a cost basis. The Dolphin Fund provides a neutral platform and a partnership of national and international NGOs, governments and industry. New partners, sponsors and donors are greatly needed and most welcome!

The following projects have so far been supported.