Richard Barrett / WWF-UK Uncovering blue whale distribution in the Southern Hemisphere WWF is collaborating with researchers in Chile to understand the migratory routes and critical habitat of blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere. Again, the orcas' hunting . For perspective, this is equivalent of the length of three school buses! The risk is much higher in some coastal areas with heavy vessel traffic, like ports and in shipping lanes, and from larger vessels and vessels traveling at high speeds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The mouth of the blue whale contains a row of plates that are fringed with 'baleen', which are similar to bristles. The gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is divided into two distinct populations that are located in the eastern and western North Pacific Ocean. But the sad fact is that these amazing creatures were designated as endangered for a long time and there is no improvement in their numbers. Furthermore, both subspecies suffer from accidental capture in fishing gear, especially gillnets, and the species is sometimes purposely hunted for its meat and oil, which is used as bait when fishing. You too can listen to the songs of the humpback whale on Bandcamp. These pollutants can seriously harm Blue whales and some cases, even kill them. Conservation effortsto protect blue whales began in 1966 with the passage of the ban on commercial whaling. If you happen to witness or know about an instance of hurting, harassing, or disturbing a blue whale in any way always report it! Many fear the ban could do more harm than good to conservation efforts on the ground. Still, theres no reason to get sad yet as their populations increasing, and the blue whale could be just in time to make a splashing comeback. I am a lover of everything nature and animal related with over 15 years of experience in the field of wildlife rescue and education. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2019, doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T41758A151913336.en, Braulik, G.T., et al. Whales may carry off the fishing gear, which then inhibits their feeding and mating activities, or prevents their mobility due to the weight of the nets, which tires out the whales and may kill them due to fatigue. Paynes scientific discovery helped launch advocacy against commercial whaling and the ubiquitous 1970s campaign to save the whales. And it worked commercial whaling was banned internationally in 1986. These mammals are found in all the world's oceans and often swim in . Ghost gear discarded or lost fishing gear in the ocean is responsible for harming and killing endless marine life, including blue whales, according to NOAA. The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest animal ever known to exist with a maximum length of around 100 feet and a maximum weight of about 190 tons. There are many things that people can do to help reduce pollution and protect whales. When a vessel strikes a blue whale, it can cause severe injuries or even result in death. Keep reading to learn more about the different threats to blue whales and what we can do about them. Can you imagine? The Antarctic blue whales are the largest subspecies of blue whales. Why Are Blue Whales Considered Endangered? The final attack recorded by the study was on a 45-foot-long blue whale, chased for 15 miles in a 90-minute hunt. The scene, observed off Bremer Bay in southwestern Australia, is the first time humans have documented orcas, also known as killer whales, successfully hunting and eating an endangered blue whale . Blue whales have few predators but are known to fall victim to attacks by sharks and killer whales, and many are injured or die each year from impacts with large ships. The species is also occasionally intentionally targeted by fishers and sold for its meat but is mostly caught by accident. These majestic aquatic creatures can weigh up to 330,000 lbs and reach up to 110 feet long when mature adults. It is a major contributor to the current decline in blue whale populations and ocean health. The greatest threat to the survival of the species is incidental bycatch by fisheries, which frequently occurs throughout the dolphin's range. The Chilean blue whale subspecies is the smallest of the subspecies. Since the 1970s, the global blue whale population has dropped from 20 million to only 500. The IUCN has therefore listed the species as endangered. Blue whales were first sighted by Europeans in 1758. Sadly, despite this fact, they arent immune to the threats created by humans. There are many ways to help whales directly affected by the noise in the ocean. The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is unique in that it is able to live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. Although commercial whaling was banned in 1986 by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), some species like the sei whale are still heavily targeted by Japan, Norway, and Iceland, which dodge or defy the IWC moratorium. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2017, doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T20425A50372734.en, Reeves, R.R., et al. A majority of the Irrawaddy dolphin's global population lives in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Bangladesh, amounting to an estimated 5,800 individuals. Vessel strikes, fishing gear, pollution, and habitat loss have all contributed to the endangerment of blue whales. Human-whale conflict is a natural phenomenon in terms of humans tendency to corrupt nature. Whale online campaigns are a great way to raise awareness about the endangered blue whale. Continued research into blue whales is also essential for blue whale conservation. A blue whale calf weighs two tons (1,814 kilograms) at birth and gains an extra 200 pounds (91 kilograms) each day of its first year. As one of the many victims of irresponsible fishing, whales often come into contact with in-use or abandoned fishing gear. It lives in the cold waters near Antarctica and eats small fish and krill. One of the main threats to Blue whales is water pollution. Humpback Whales Were Moved From Australias Endangered List Are They Still Endangered? Climate change is the other major threat to whales, and one that looms even larger than ship strikes, McCauley says. There are speed limits, but on the West Coast, compliance is voluntary and a 2019 study found that less than half of ships comply. You might want to help in some way, but a professional will know the appropriate actions to take, NOAA explained. Increasing ocean temperatures are decreasing populations of krill (a main food source), which means whales need to search longer to get enough to eat. Credit: NOAA Fisheries Cetaceans are divided into two distinct groups, with members of each group facing unique threats to their survival. Ship strikes have also proved to be a significant danger to the species, and vessel traffic continues to expand in the porpoise's habitat as the area becomes increasingly developed. Today, sei whale populations are approximately 30 percent of what they were prior to the 1950s, causing the IUCN to label the species as endangered. Unfortunately, the vaquita population has been dramatically declining from an estimated 567 individuals in 1997 to only 30 individuals in 2016, making it the most endangered marine mammal on earth and causing the IUCN to list it as critically endangered. It will compromise the blue whales ability to communicate effectively with each other. The IUCN has therefore listed the species as endangered. Picture trying to have a conversation in a crowded bar, McCauley says. By copying the embed code below, you agree to adhere to our republishing guidelines. Persons exposed to the deadly Camp Fire in 2018 displayed evidence of what is known as climate trauma.. Even their calves are a whopping 7 meters in length, weighing in the same as an adult African elephant. . What is known today is that this gentle giant is far from evil and due to its elusive nature there is still a lot to learn about the colossal cetacean. Its in everyones best interest to avoid this. The population is believed to have declined by 74 percent since 1970, leaving a current population of only 15,000 individuals. Clapham. A 2018 analysis estimates that the Balaenopteridae family diverged from other families in between 10.48 and 4.98 million years ago during the late Miocene. However, this may not be enough to save this incredible animal from extinction if stricter measures are not imposed and obeyed. The blue whale was driven to the brink of extinction by commercial whaling in the 1800s and early 1900s. But in the 2 years that Whale Safe has been in place in the Santa Barbara Channel, McCauley says no ship strikes have been recorded at all. The mammals are "one of the world's most endangered . Want to stay up to date with everything we're doing here at MarinePatch? Toxic chemicals and oil spills contribute to habitat degradation as well. "Phocoena Sinus." Some of them stay in their areas for a year. Other threats that endanger blue whales are vessel disturbance and fishing gear entanglements. AI has the capacity to impact way more than the job market and digital warfare tactics: it can completely revolutionise our food system. Over 300,000 killed blue whales were recorded before the 1966 ban, with the Soviet Union continuing illegalwhaling into the 1970s and Japan continuing to huntwhales in the name of science. He and his team have developed a solution for alerting ships to the presence of whales so they can slow down and take precautions. Right whales were among the whales most heavily targeted by whalers in the 18th and 19th centuries, as they were some of the most convenient to hunt and also had a high blubber content. However, this valuable area for whales is also subject to heavy industrial fishing as well as smaller artisanal fisheries and aquaculture operations. Blue whales are currently classified as endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List. The increasing presence of shrimp farms along the coasts of East Asia has restricted the range of the porpoise, while sand mining in China and Japan has also destroyed significant portions of the porpoise's habitat. But this is premature, as our new research points out. Its a worsening problem that has even prompted federal investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The blue whale is the largest mammal in the world. They are largely endangered. "Whales may drag the attached gear for long distances, ultimately resulting in fatigue, compromised feeding ability, or severe injury, which may lead to reduced reproductive success and death," NOAA explained. It is a difficult whale to study because of its low numbers and its preference for deep, offshore waters. Today, due to human whaling activities, irresponsible fishing gear disposal and overall aquatic ecosystem deterioration, only 10 percent of their population has survived. It is found throughout South Asia, primarily in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh in the Indus, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems. 3. Blue whales are significantly threatened by climate change. 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