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Tag: whales

  • How COVID-19 Lockdowns Helped Humpback Whales Thrive

    How COVID-19 Lockdowns Helped Humpback Whales Thrive

    Life under the sea is full of simple pleasures away from the busy world of humans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, something unexpected happened like lockdowns helped humpback whales very much. A team from the University of Queensland, led by Dr. Jake Linsky, found something interesting. The lockdowns had a calming effect on humpback whales migrating off Australia’s east coast.

    Humpback whales

    Dr. Linsky, from UQ’s School of Environment, studies these whales at Moreton Bay Research Station. He uses drone photos and samples to check the whales’ health. These whales have recovered well from whaling in the past. The team wanted to use new tools to see how healthy they are.

    “We used drone photos and samples to check the health of eastern Australian humpback whales near North Stradbroke Island during their migration in 2020 and 2021,” Dr. Linsky said. “This whale group has recovered well from past whaling, so we wanted to use the best tools to check on their health.”

    “We also used small boats to get close to the whales and collect tiny samples of skin,” he added. Lower cortisol levels mean less stress. Why did this happen? Dr. Linsky thinks it’s due to changes in climate and less human activity during the pandemic.

    “Several things happened during this time, like climate shifts to La Niña and big changes in human activity due to the pandemic.” “Our gene tests suggest whales might be reacting to fewer pollutants in their feeding waters.”

    “Other studies found similar stress hormone drops in whales on the other side of Antarctica. Our results show this might be true for the whole Southern Ocean.” These findings are important for making rules to protect whales and other sea life.

    Less human activity during lockdowns and lower cortisol levels support creating protected marine areas and stricter rules on boat traffic and pollution. By reducing human stressors, we can make safer places for these amazing creatures.

  • Japan’s Whaling Debate: The Inclusion of Fin Whales

    Japan’s Whaling Debate: The Inclusion of Fin Whales

    Japan’s Fisheries Agency has proposed the inclusion of fin whales in its commercial whaling activities, a significant change from its current practice of hunting three smaller species. This move comes after Japan resumed commercial whaling in its exclusive economic zone in 2019, following its departure from the International Whaling Commission.

    Whales

    Revisiting a Controversial Tradition

    Japan’s return to commercial whaling ended a 30-year period of what was termed “research whaling,” a practice internationally criticized and seen as a cover for commercial hunting. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has defended the cultural importance of whaling in Japan, advocating for the sustainable use of whales as a food resource.

    Public Consultation and Environmental Assessments

    The agency is seeking public input on this proposal until June 5, with a review meeting scheduled for mid-June. They cite extensive surveys indicating the North Pacific fin whale population’s recovery as justification for their inclusion in commercial quotas.

    Cultural Significance vs. Global Conservation

    The proposal does not aim to significantly increase whale meat supply, and no specific quota will be set for fin whales. Japan’s historical reliance on whale meat as a post-war protein source has diminished over time, with current consumption at around 2,000 tons annually. Yet, some locals, like Hideyuki Saito, wish for a revival of whale meat’s popularity.

    International Concerns and Innovations

    Internationally, whaling remains contentious, especially regarding fin whales. Critics like Shirley Bosworth from Australia emphasize the need to protect these animals. Meanwhile, Kyodo Senpaku Co., a leading whaling company, is innovating with whale meat vending machines and a new mother ship, asserting a commitment to sustainable practices.

    The Future of Whaling in Japan

    As Japan weighs its cultural heritage against global conservation efforts, the debate over traditional practices and ecological sustainability continues. The inclusion of fin whales in commercial hunting reflects Japan’s struggle to balance respect for its past with modern conservation realities.

    Japan’s proposal to include fin whales in commercial hunts is a complex issue that intertwines tradition, taste, and technology with conservation and international opinion, highlighting the delicate balance between cultural practices and environmental stewardship.

  • Adapting to Change: How Sperm Whales Navigate Threats

    Adapting to Change: How Sperm Whales Navigate Threats

    While sailing in the Pacific Ocean, an American hunter saw something strange. He noticed that hunting was down by 58 percent. Some kinds of whales, like sperm whales, were hard to find. The sperm whales did something interesting to protect themselves.

    sperm whale

    They formed circles to defend against predators. This helped weaker whales stay safe. It also made it tough for hunting ships to catch them. The northern and Pacific whales learned to deal with their new environment this way.

    Scientists saw how sperm whales helped each other. They worked together to find new ways to stay safe. Sperm whales are hunted for their oil, which is used for making candles. They use special strategies to keep in touch with each other.

    Whales have the biggest brains of any animal. Their brains are five times heavier than human brains. They spend most of their lives swimming across oceans, looking for food. Sperm whales can dive really deep, up to 1,200 meters. They talk to each other with sounds, even in the dark. These sounds can be as loud as 270 decibels. Sperm whales often live in groups with their families.

    They have a special way of communicating called codas, like Morse code. This helps them recognize each other. Researchers have found many different codes that they use.