Guardians of the Deep: Why Whale Conservation Matters for Our Blue Planet

The ocean’s ancient musicians

Did you know that whales sing songs? Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are particularly renowned for their complex melodies, though many whale species produce a wide range of sounds for communication and navigation. These underwater symphonies have echoed through our oceans for millions of years, yet today these magnificent creatures face unprecedented challenges.

Meet the ocean’s giants: understanding whale diversity

Whales, or cetaceans (Cetacea) - translated as “sea monsters” in Greek - include dolphins and porpoises in their extended family. There are two main types of whales: baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti).

Baleen whales are toothless giants, sometimes called “moustache whales” due to their bristle-like filtering structures that strain food like krill (tiny shrimp) from seawater. This family ranges from the largest animal on our planet, the Antarctic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus ssp. intermedia), to the smallest, the pygmy right whale (Caperea marginata).

Toothed whales include mighty sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), which dive deep to hunt giant squid, and the apex predator killer whales or orcas (Orcinus orca), which use sophisticated pack hunting strategies to capture fish, marine mammals, and other prey.

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) performs a spectacular full breach off Maui, Hawaii, launching its entire body above the water’s surface in a powerful display of strength and grace. Photo courtesy of James Keith Dickson.

Guardians of the ocean

Whales serve as keystone species at the top of marine food chains, bringing balance to the ecosystems they inhabit. Through what scientists call the “whale pump,” they release nutrient-rich waste at the ocean surface, contributing to the primary production of marine ecosystems. This process helps phytoplankton thrive, which in turn absorb carbon dioxide and produce 50% to 80% of the world’s oxygen.

Whales also act as massive carbon storage units throughout their lifetimes. When they die, this carbon can remain trapped on the ocean floor for hundreds of years. Together, these processes make whales crucial players in climate change mitigation. As sentinel species, changes in whale populations can alter entire marine ecosystems, making their conservation essential for ocean health.

A Bigg’s killer whale (Orcinus orca) breaches near Vancouver Island, Canada, showcasing the distinctive white markings that contrast dramatically against its sleek black body as it soars above the ocean surface. Photo courtesy of James Keith Dickson.

 A dark chapter in human history

Despite being magnificent creatures with ancient intelligence, many whale species were hunted to near extinction by humans seeking their oil and meat. For centuries, coastal communities worldwide relied on whales for subsistence needs. However, organised commercial whaling led to mass killing on an industrial scale, with annual catches reaching 50,000 whales in the 1930s. It is estimated that the commercial whaling industry killed approximately 3 million whales in total.

Recognising the devastating impact of commercial whaling, the International Whaling Commission effectively banned commercial whaling in 1986. However, countries like Norway, Iceland, and Japan continue to hunt whales under various justifications.

Modern threats: New challenges for ancient giants

Beyond whaling, whales face numerous contemporary threats including entanglement in fishing gear, plastic pollution, chemical contamination, ship strikes, habitat degradation, captivity, noise pollution, irresponsible whale watching practices, and climate change. Alarmingly, an estimated 300,000 whales accidentally become caught in fishing nets each year (known as bycatch), facing gruesome deaths. Underwater noise from shipping vessels, submarines, deep sea mining, oil exploration, and whale watching boats can disrupt their behaviour, impacting their navigation and communication abilities.

While whale watching has become one of the fastest growing tourism industries worldwide and raises valuable public awareness, it can also negatively impact whales through behavioural disruption, interference with migration and breeding patterns, and potential physical harm when not conducted responsibly.

Research insights: Sustainable whale watching in Taiwan

Taiwan stands as one of the world’s leading whale watching destinations, with over one third of global whale species (31 species) recorded along its east coast. This diversity creates an 80 to 90% chance of spotting whales during tours. However, the industry faces challenges including poor time management, lack of operational guidelines, insufficient restrictions on boat numbers, and underdeveloped conservation funding.

Our research aimed to understand tourist preferences for establishing sustainable whale watching activities in Taiwan. Our findings revealed that 85% of respondents expressed a clear desire for sustainable whale watching practices. Notably, 59% of participants preferred individual whale watching experiences rather than group tours. This environmentally conscious group showed distinct characteristics: 86% supported limiting the number of boats in whale areas, and 30% could recognise eco-certification labels, indicating higher environmental awareness than typical tourist groups. Most importantly, these environmentally conscious individuals strongly supported maintaining minimum distances from marine mammals and opposed disruptive behaviours such as pursuing or crowding whales during watching activities.

Taking action: How we can help

While whale populations are recovering in some regions, the threats they face continue to increase. Individuals play a crucial role in whale conservation efforts through several actionable steps:

• Choose responsible whale watching: Research guidelines before participating in whale watching tours, and ensure operators follow ethical guidelines for marine mammal observation.

• Support conservation: Contribute to organisations working on whale conservation and marine protection initiatives.

• Reduce plastic consumption: Minimise use of single-use plastics that often end up in marine environments.

• Educate and advocate: Share knowledge about whale conservation with others and advocate for modified fishing gear that reduces bycatch.

• Policy support: Support legislation that protects marine environments and establishes whale sanctuaries.

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfaces to breathe near Vancouver Island, releasing a characteristic blow through its blowhole, creating a visible cloud of mist in the crisp ocean air. Photo courtesy of James Keith Dickson.

Protecting our blue planet

Life on land depends on life in our oceans, with whales serving as guardians of marine ecosystems. Their role in maintaining ocean health directly impacts global climate regulation, oxygen production, and marine biodiversity. By protecting whales, we protect the very foundation of our blue planet and ensure a sustainable future for both marine life and humanity.

The songs of whales have filled our oceans for millions of years. With conscious action and responsible stewardship, we can ensure these ancient melodies continue to resonate through the depths for generations to come.