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There are many endangered species out there today, and one of them is the

biggest sea animal on this planet- the whale. All whale populations are drastically

going down- and this is due to amount of whaling activity that exists in the

world. Today, whales have been overhunted, making all whale species

categorized under endangered animals. That’s why there has been many people

fighting to ban whaling in countries. There are being killed and turned into

products that humans use daily, from lamp oils to cosmetics. Other sorts of

human activity has an impact of the fitness of the whale populations. We need to

take the time to save these animals, and this includes to ban using them in our

products. If we don’t, whales will be gone forever. It will affect other species as

well, both prey and predator of the whale.

ABSTRACT

DISTURBING TRENDS IN WHALE POPULATIONS

The whale population, regardless of species, can effect in two ways. One way is

by killing a whale quickly through hunting/whaling, ship striking, resort

development, or even getting caught by fishing gear.

Whaling is the activity that focuses on hunting of whale. This also includes

harvesting beached whales- whales that have ended up on land, usually on a

beach. Many beached whales die due to dehydration- but die sooner if hunted by

whalers. Whalers hunt to turn whales into meat or human used products. These

products range from lamp oils to cosmetics/beauty products to lubricants.

Whaling has been around for many centuries. (Clapham) Today, many countries

participated in modern or commercial whaling. The International Whaling

Commission (IWC) had noticed that modern and commercial whaling has led to

overhunting, causing whales to become part of today’s endangered animals. “In

1982 the IWC decided that there should be a pause in commercial whaling on all

stocks from the 1985/1986 season onwards. This pause is often referred to as

the commercial whaling moratorium, and it is still in place today” (IWC,

5/12/14).

Japanese whalers are one of the biggest whaling countries, hunting mainly to

sell whale meat. Though IWC had the commercial whaling moratorium, whalers

in Japan claimed that they were hunting for whale meat for mainly scientific

research reasons. The International Court of Justice discovered that they were

still selling meat in restaurants and supermarkets, and placed a secondary ban

on the Japanese whaling program.

Boats can also be a disruption to the natural habitats of whales. “The

combination of high traffic, feeding areas, and migratory whale routes result in a

marked increase risk of ship strikes to whales that can result in serious injury or

death to whales” (NOAA, 11/27/13). Sonar and other noises from boat can

interfere with whale communication and navigation. This is referred to as noise

pollution (Gordon). Whale watching can also be harmful to whales for at times,

whale watching boats are overpopulated and can cross over particular prohibited

regions. “Disturbance by vessels may turn the whales’ attention away from

essential activities like foraging, feeding, socializing and breeding” (Wild Whales,

5/12/14).

Nets used by fishermen can catch whales and other cetaceans- dolphins and

porpoises- by their fins and baleen teeth. Believe it or not, this can be fatal to

these animals. Whales can die quickly from infection or the tight grip of the

netting. According to IFAW, nearly three quarters of all North American whales

have scars from entanglement. (IFAW, 5/12/14)

HUMAN THREATS TO WHALES

Another way the whale population decline through a gradual death. These are

still affected by human activity. All sorts of pollution, change in prey population,

and climate change are just a few examples. This all effects the health and well-

being of the whale population as well as the population of the prey. It also

effects the well-being of their environment (IWC, 5/12/14).

Pollution comes in different forms, besides noise pollution. “Industrial waste and

litter pollute the sea, including plastic debris, which can float in the water for

some time. A whale may mistake it for food, swallow it, and get a blocked gut as

a result.” (Field, 5/12/14) Toxins that are dumped into the water are consumed

by all marine organism, and the concentration of pollutants increase at every

food chain level. With that said, whales end up having the higher levels.

Global climate change doesn’t only affect the lifestyles and migration patterns of

whales, especially those that reside near the Arctic region, but also affect the krill

population. Krill is the primary food source for many marine species. It can also

effect the salinity, which affects the food for most whale species. Whale may

have to migrate because of this, calling for a change in lifestyle. At times, this

may not lead to a good result.

OTHER THREATS WHAT CAN WE DO?

There are many things we as citizens can do to help save whales from becoming

an extinct species. Though joining/supporting/donating to a whale conversation

society is one way to take that first step, it is not the only way.

One of the many causes that leads to the death of whales and other marine

animals is trash. Marine animals tend to mistake discarded, inedible items as

food. This can cause entanglement, choking, indigestion, all which could kill

them. We as citizens should be more aware about what we throw away, how we

throw it away, and where it ends up. Items such as used cigarettes take many

years to break down. Popped balloon remains can also end up in the oceans, and

blocking whale’s digestive tracts if they are eaten. Whales tend to mistake

balloon remains for jellyfish. Even trash that ends up on our streets will travel

into the waters through drains. Cleaning litter in our community, especially on

beaches will help. Grab some peers or have your school volunteer at the nearest

beach, river, creek, or estuary and pick up litter. As for the balloons, do not

release them outside.

As mentioned, a large number marine animals and sea birds die due to

entanglement of trash. Entanglement leads to decrease of food intake, especially

for whales. This entanglement is caused by items such as discarded plastic can

rings, found with packs of canned/bottle sodas. It would be safer for us to cut up

the plastic can rings before tossing it into the trash or recycling. Most people feel

that this isn’t important, but it is so important.

Chemicals are also known to pollute its waters, gradually killing many marine

animals. (Brownell) It is important that we keep our cars well maintained to

prevent any leaks on the roads. Such things can end up in the waters and cause

pollution. It is better to recycle motor oil- we can do this for free. All hazardous

waste should be discarded properly at a local hazardous waste location. Never

dump hazardous waste into sewers or storm drains.

Another trashed item that causes entanglement for marine animals is fishing

gear. After fishing, people tend to throw used fishing lines, nets and hooks into

the water. Even lobster trap lines and diving lines cans be hazardous to sea

animals. It is important that these items are thrown away in its right place- and

not into the ocean.

REFERENCES

Brownell, R L. (1969). Whales, dolphins and oil pollution.

Clapham, P. J., & Baker, C. S. (2002). Whaling, modern. Encyclopedia of marine mammals. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1328-1332.

Commercial Whaling. (2014). Commercial Whaling. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://iwc.int/commercial

Gordon, J., & Moscrop, A. (1996). Underwater noise pollution and its significance for whales and dolphins. The conservation of whales and dolphins: science and practice. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK, 281-319.

Mangaliman, J., & Biaqini, L. (n.d.). Blue Whale Endangered. : Current Conditions. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://endangeredbluewhale.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Mass Whale Hunting in Faroe Islands Leave Sea Blood Red | Amusing Planet. (2011, November 25). Mass Whale Hunting in Faroe Islands Leave Sea Blood Red | Amusing Planet. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/11/mass-whale-hunting-in-faroe-islands.html

Reducing Ship Strike Risk to Whales. (2013, November 27). Reducing Ship Strike Risk to Whales. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/protect/shipstrike/welcome.html

Roman, J., & Palumbi, S. R. (2003). Whales before whaling in the North Atlantic. science, 301(5632), 508-510.

SIMoN (2012, May). SIMoN :: News » Whale Entanglement Summaries (2012, 2011, 2008). Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://sanctuarysimon.org/news/index.php/2012/05/whale-entanglement-summaries-2012-2011-2008/

Skoog, J., Berg, J., Lamb, P., Fay, K., & LeBlanc, C. (1999, January 1). High school student paper: Decline of Steller Sea Lion. High school student paper: Decline of Steller Sea Lion. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://seagrant.uaf.edu/nosb/papers/1999/EagleRiver_sealion.html

Sperm Whale. (n.d.). . Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://eol.org/pages/328547/details

Strahan, R. (2009). A NEW PARADIGM FOR CONSERVATION OF GREAT WHALES IN THE URBAN SEA OF THE UNITED STATES--SPECIES IN NEED OF A "GREEN KNIGHT.". Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, 36(2), 431-481.

The dangers of entanglements. (2014). Home. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/node/404

Water Pollution. (2014, January 1). Whales: Giants of the Deep. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://whales.fieldmuseum.org/behind/threats/pollution

Who We Are - Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. (2014). Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://www.seashepherd.org/who-we-are/

WHALE CONSERVATION

Heard of the phrase “Save the Whales”? It is a famous phrase that united people

who fought against commercial whaling in the 1980’s.

The first whale conservation group to be created was is American Cetacean

Society (ACS). Their goal is to fix cetacean-related threats through free

education initiatives, research projects, and other environmental beneficial

actions. The organization is also raising funds for grants towards conducting

research on cetacean issues. They do all of this in hopes that it will protect the

health and well-being of all cetaceans, nationally and internationally, and their

natural habitats. They were the first to host whale-watching trips for children.

Each ACS chapter across the US have a specific program, such as the monitoring

of grey whale censuses by the Los Angeles chapter. ACS has collaborated with

organizations such as National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institution.

Though the ACS has done work outside of America, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

is more internationally known for their efforts toward wildlife conservation. “It is

the world's largest independent conservation organization with over 5 million

supporters worldwide, working in more than 100 countries on 6 continents,

supporting around 1,300 conservation and environmental projects.”(CEP-REC,

5/12/14) WWF offers rescue workshops towards saving whales in the Philippines,

a place where many beached and stranded whales are found. They are also

fighting to place whale hunts for research and commercial reasons under

International Whaling Commission (IWC)’s control. The WWF and IWC are

collaborating to reduce threats to whales.

There are many other organizations that are fighting to save whales and the rest

of marine wildlife. Sea Shepard Conservation Society is an organization that uses

“innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when

necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas” (Sea

Shepard, 5/12/14). Sea Watch Foundation is a UK-based charity served to

protects the cetaceans that reside in British and Irish waters.

Decline in Blue whale populations (Blue Whale Endangered)

Thiba Thiagarajan

Whaling - Threats and Conservation

Overall whale populations before and after exploitation (Sea Grant)

Increase of sperm whale catches globally (Encyclopedia of Life)

Whale caught in a discarded fishing net (SanctuarySimon)

Hundred of killer whales slaughtered after whaling activity in Forbes Island (Amusing Planet)

Whaling in the Faroe Islands has been practiced since about the time of the first Norse settlements on the islands (Amusing Planet)