Celebrating Successes in Whale & Dolphin Conservation
By Rosemary Ellis
In a world where environmental news often highlights the challenges and threats to marine life, it's important to celebrate the victories and positive strides being made in cetacean conservation. Cetaceans, which include whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are remarkable creatures known for their intelligence, complex social structures, and crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.
Despite the myriad threats they face, from climate change to human activities, there are numerous uplifting stories that remind us of the progress being made. In this blog, we bring you ‘Good News Stories’ for whales that highlight inspiring conservation successes, groundbreaking research discoveries, and heartwarming tales of rescue and recovery. These stories serve as a beacon of hope, showing that through dedicated efforts and global cooperation, we can make significant improvements for the well-being of the ocean life around us.
1. Gray Whales
March 2024 - The "Unusual Mortality Event" (UME) affecting gray whales since 2019 has officially been declared over by NOAA. This positive development comes after years of higher-than-average deaths among gray whales, attributed to factors like malnutrition and environmental changes. The end of the UME suggests that the population may be stabilizing, offering hope. Conservation efforts and continued monitoring remain crucial to ensure their recovery and long-term survival. If the decline was originally caused by environmental changes in the Arctic feeding grounds, we may expect future disruptions as global warming continues – we need long-term solutions to reverse the global heating.
March 2024 - Additionally, a gray whale was spotted off Cape Cod, a species considered extinct in the Atlantic for more than 200 years. This sighting, confirmed by photos, highlights how climate change and the melting of the Northwest Passage may be facilitating such rare occurrences. The whale, possibly the same one seen off Florida, underscores the dynamic nature of marine ecosystems and the adaptability of gray whales to changing conditions. Gray whales originally lived in the north Atlantic region, but were hunted to extinction early on by whalers. In theory, the species might well return to the Atlantic at some point.
2. Blue Whales
April 2024 - Marine biologists have made a remarkable discovery off the coast of the Seychelles, spotting over a dozen blue whales in the area for the first time since 1966. This finding, from a survey conducted in 2020 and 2021 by four universities, indicates a positive trend in the recovery of the world's largest animals. The presence of these whales, unseen in the region for decades due to past whaling activities, marks a significant milestone in marine conservation efforts.
June 2023 - Blue whales have also been spotted off the coast of California in numbers not seen since pre-whaling days. The end of commercial whaling along with efforts to reduce ship strikes and commercial fishing impacts have contributed to this recovery. Recent estimates indicate up to 2,000 blue whales migrate annually from Mexico to Southern and Central California. This resurgence highlights the success of collective international conservation actions and offers hope for the blue whale population in that region.
A similar example of great whales returning to areas where they were previously extirpated was highlighted in research conducted on the island of South Georgia in the Antarctic Ocean.
A blue whale surfaces off Dana Point, California - first blue whale of the 2024 season! Photo Credit: Mark J. Palmer
3. Sperm Whales
November 2023 - Dominica is establishing the world's first sperm whale reserve to protect the 200 sperm whales that inhabit its waters year-round. This pioneering initiative aims to create a sanctuary for them, promoting conservation and responsible tourism. The reserve highlights Dominica's commitment to marine protection and offers a model for other nations to follow in preserving marine biodiversity.
4. Humpback Whales
September 2023 - Humpback whales have made a significant comeback in the Salish Sea due to the ban on commercial whaling of the species since 1966 and the 1986 moratorium on all commercial whaling. A notable whale, Big Mama, has contributed to this resurgence by having multiple calves that return to the area. The nutrient-rich waters of the Salish Sea provide an ideal feeding ground, attracting hundreds of humpbacks each summer. This recovery demonstrates successful conservation efforts and also helps boost local tourism through whale-watching activities.
May 2024 - This year, over 40,000 humpback whales are expected to migrate past Sydney, Australia, (add comma) a significant increase from previous years. This positive trend again reflects the success of the international moratorium on commercial whaling. The humpback whale population has rebounded impressively, growing annually by 7-12%. The humpbacks in that area, once endangered, now offer a spectacular sight for whale watchers along the Sydney coast. Unfortunately, shark nets aimed at protecting beaches in Australia can entangle and drown humpback whales and dolphins.
5. Fin Whales
July 2022 - Researchers recorded an unprecedented gathering of fin whales in Antarctica in 2022, where hundreds of the species were seen feeding together. This resurgence, observed near the South Orkney Islands, marks a significant recovery from near extinction caused by historical whaling.
6. Sei Whales
May 2024 - Sei whales, which had vanished from the Patagonian coast of Argentina due to intense whaling nearly 100 years ago, have recently been sighted again. This marks a significant conservation milestone, highlighting the resilience of nature and the success of global efforts to protect marine life. Despite this, sei whales remain endangered, facing threats, such as fishing gear entanglement and habitat degradation. Continued research and conservation are crucial for their ongoing recovery.
7. North Atlantic Right Whales
February 2024 - As of early February, 17 North Atlantic right whale calves have been spotted from Florida to South Carolina, surpassing last year's total. This promising news from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute highlights the critical role these births play in the species' recovery. However, the overall population remains critically endangered, with approximately 356 individuals left. Major threats, including entanglement and vessel strikes, continue to jeopardize their survival, emphasizing the need for further conservation efforts.
These stories serve as a testament to the power of dedicated conservation efforts and remind us of the importance of pushing forward for the marine species with whom we share this planet. Through research, international cooperation, and proactive measures, we can continue to ensure a brighter future for cetaceans around the world.
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One of the major reasons whale populations are on the increase is the end to commercial whaling, which occurred in 1982 when the International Whaling Commission imposed a moratorium on whaling (the actual ban went into effect in 1986). The International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) worked with other organizations and conservation-minded countries to achieve the moratorium. While some nations continue to flaunt the whaling ban (notably Japan, Iceland and Norway), IMMP continues to pressure those governments into ending the cycle of harpoons and whale meat that consumers do not want to eat. Please donate today to continue IMMP’s advocacy, litigation, and public education for whales and dolphins and their ocean homes.
