Rob Lott
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Dad, editor, health policy wonk, movie geek, BBQ lover & proud Chicago resident. Tweet about editing, health care. Tweets are my own. RTs ≠ endorsements.
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Articles by Rob Lott
Life in the ocean versus life in captivity: the fate of whales and dolphins in Tenerife
There are strong headwinds facing the captivity industry in Europe. The number of dolphin parks in Spain has reduced from 12 to eight in just five years, and recent legislation in countries such as France and Belgium shows that ending the commercial exploitation and breeding of captive whales and dolphins is possible.
Why TUI should end support for whale and dolphin captivity
Over the past few months, we’ve been preparing for a series of moments that felt both daunting and full of possibility. Opportunities to speak truth to power don’t come around often, and when they do, we want to be ready - clear in our message, confident in our purpose, and backed by the thousands of supporters like you who make our work possible. Our goal is simple: keep pushing for a world where whales and dolphins are no longer kept for entertainment. But the route there isn’t straightforward.
Are we closer to a world without whale and dolphin captivity?
TUI is lagging behind Over the years, I have witnessed the incredible suffering and tragedy of captive whales and dolphins, and sadly, it is major tour operators pushing out discounted tickets that keep this machine running - and few, if any, are bigger than TUI. Thanks to years of pressure from you, our supporters, and the wider public, most UK travel companies have cut ties with facilities that use whales and dolphins as entertainment. TUI remains the holdout.
The joy of watching WILD whales and dolphins
There is something magical about encountering a wild whale or dolphin. It is exhilarating, thrilling, and sometimes life changing. When you compare the experience to watching a traumatised orca performing tricks for food or being just another tourist waiting to grab a captive dolphin's fin for a ride in a sea pen, it's a world apart.
Don't go to the horror show
But, no matter the country, region, culture or even the size of the facility, the suffering these beautiful, sentient beings endure on a daily basis is disturbingly similar. The grim reality of these horror shows Stripped of everything that makes life in the wild worth living - like foraging, socialising and the ability to travel large distances - these powerful, emotionally-complex individuals succumb to boredom, stress, frustration and aggression towards each other and sometimes their trainers.
The joy of watching wild whales and dolphins
There is something undeniably magical about an encounter with a wild whale or dolphin. It is exhilarating, thrilling and sometimes lifechanging. When you compare the experience to watching a traumatised orca performing tricks for food, or being the umpteenth tourist to grab Flipper's fin for a ride in a sea pen, it's a world apart. Rob Lott shares the joy and the peace he's taken from a lifetime of wild watching.
Remembering Debbie Boylan
Health Affairs is deeply saddened to report that our longtime Director of Events and dear friend Debbie Boylan died last week at her home near the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Lusby, Maryland. She had been looking forward to celebrating her 60th birthday with friends and family this past weekend. Debbie joined Health Affairs as director of events in 2009.
Staff And Contributor Picks: 17 Fascinating Health And Health Policy Books To Read Over Break
In 2023, the Health Affairs Reads section of Forefront hit its stride. Now with a small library’s worth of reviews, excerpts, and lists, we’ve been delighted to work with our contributors to dig deep on some of the most compelling and trenchant health and health policy books of the year. But we get it: You’ve been busy. You probably haven’t gotten to spend as much time as you’d like sitting down with a book. That’s ok.
Three decades on from UK's last dolphin show, what needs to change?
Risk of return Pressure from WDC, Born Free and others, as well as the public, in the late 1980s and early 1990s persuaded the UK government to commission a review of the UK’s dolphinaria industry. This exposed major inadequacies in the conditions under which whales and dolphins were kept.
Uncovering the dark side of captivity
Last week we launched our major new campaign to reveal and uncover the dark side of captivity, and call on tourism giant TUI, and the rest of the travel industry, to commit to an ethical phase out of captivity. There are two sides to captivity: the show that the audience enjoys, and the dark side: what the whales and dolphins themselves endure. The world is a dark place for captive whales and dolphins.
My amazing week watching orcas in Scotland
I hadn’t even arrived ‘on site’ at John O Groats on the first day when my phone pinged as I was leaving my B&B in Wick. Orcas had been spotted just offshore of the town and were heading north too.
Talking to TUI - will they stop supporting whale and dolphin captivity?
Elephant in the room WDC firmly believes that the lack of consensus on this issue is primarily down to TUI’s influence as an ABTA member and their desire to protect their interest in the lucrative business of captive dolphin ‘attractions’. To address TUI’s elephant in the room (or the dolphin in the tank!) I took our petition to TUI’s corporate office last week and met with TUI senior executives. I asked for TUI’s backing for a phase out of dolphin captivity.
End Of An Era: Celebrating Lee-Lee Prina On Her Retirement
With bittersweet feelings, we write to let readers know that our colleague Lee-Lee Prina -- long the voice and dedicated editor behind Health Affairs’ regular GrantWatch section -- will retire at the end of the month. Lee-Lee employed her journalism training to shine a light on the news and work of health philanthropy.
Why we must end whale and dolphin captivity
I first visited OrcaLab in British Columbia over 30 years ago and vividly remember my orca encounter there on one of those stunningly beautiful summer days in the rich waters of Johnstone Strait. I was there for the first time helping to collect photo ID of each orca and listen to the calls of the pods so that we could figure out who each individual was and their family dynamic.
Time and tide - orca seasons around the British Isles
The world feels very strange for most of us as we adjust to a new normal with altered routines and a different way of living. So it’s reassuring to hear reports that some traditions continue to the beat of more ancient, natural rhythms. Let’s explore the seasonal patterns of the little known orca groups of the British Isles… This orca, Melrakki, has travelled from Iceland to Scotland Did you know that by adopting an orca, you help our work to protect them?
Why are there no captive whales or dolphins in the UK?
It’s a source of enormous pride to me that the UK hasn’t had a facility holding captive whales or dolphins for over 25 years. I know I don’t move in all social circles but I never hear anyone lamenting the fact that they can’t just jump in the car and go see a dolphin show on their next free weekend. But Britain has a long history of captivity which you may not be aware of, so let's take a look at how far we've come...
Treating Children, Coaching Their Parents
The Parent Connext program in Cincinnati, Ohio, integrates social services for families into pediatric care visits.
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Virgin Holidays drop SeaWorld - thanks for doing the right thing
As a campaigning organisation it can sometimes be frustrating to see the cogs of change grinding so slowly. I certainly feel it and I’m sure you do too. Back in 2014, WDC launched a high profile campaign calling on Richard Branson, as a founder of the Virgin brand and someone who has a stated interest in marine conservation and environment issues, to put his money where his mouth is and use his influence to stop Virgin Holidays promoting trips to SeaWorld parks.
Orca Watch Scotland 2019 - the results are in!
Orca Watch 2019 really had it all this year - wind, rain, some stunning sunsets and lots of orca activity. The event kicked off with a wonderful fundraising evening of talks and video presentations before we all settled down for a week of serious scanning at Duncansby lighthouse watching the ever-shifting waters of the Pentland Firth in Caithness, Scotland. Hundreds of people made the trek from all over the UK (and beyond!) to the northerly tip of mainland UK and the rugged coastline of Caithness.
Looking out for orcas from the Scottish north coast - Orca Watch 2019
Orca Watch week is now in its eighth year and is run by the Sea Watch Foundation in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation. I’ve been involved for the last five years and have seen the event go from strength to strength. It's a wonderful week celebrating all things orca including talks and video presentations, but it’s mainly about joining with fellow orcaholics to spot the elusive and iconic orca in Scottish waters.
Introducing A New Series Of Health Affairs Policy Primers: Prescription Drug Pricing
For policy makers at every level of government it is easy to recognize the deep impact of soaring prescription drug prices. Bold headlines, countless hearings, and recent legislation have all raised the alarm about, and floated policy solutions to address, sharp price spikes, sudden shortages, growing out-of-pocket costs, and other serious obstacles to patients’ access. Much more difficult is the work required to untangle the complicated interplay of forces that are driving prices so high.
The Forgotten Dolphins of SeaWorld: How We’re Fighting to Take Down Marine Captivity for Good
I work for WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. We are the leading global charity dedicated to the protection of whales and dolphins – from species and populations to individuals. For many years a large part of my role has been working towards an end to whale and dolphin captivity. In this time I have seen big changes, especially in public opinion.
Exhibit Of The Month: Virtual Visits On The Rise
At Health Affairs Blog, we’re excited to introduce a new regular feature. Each month, Health Affairs editors will review all the tables, charts, graphs and maps that have run in the latest print edition of the journal.
Active living for all
There has never been a better time to help all children enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities The Olympics and Paralympics may be over but the legacy lives on, with children across the country being inspired to take up a new activity or return to one that they used to enjoy. Our Paralympians are living proof that disability need not be a barrier to participating in sport or embracing a new challenge.
Active living for all
There has never been a better time to help all children enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities The Olympics and Paralympics may be over but the legacy lives on, with children across the country being inspired to take up a new activity or return to one that they used to enjoy. Our Paralympians are living proof that disability need not be a barrier to participating in sport or embracing a new challenge.
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