Whales have been forced to the verge of extinction in recent decades, even in the most remote of polar regions. Experts report that more than 1.3 million whales in Antarctic waters alone have been killed in just 70 years.
But recent research has shown how in the seas surrounding the sub-Antarctic, blue whales, once coveted by whalers, are increasing in numbers.
For the last nine years, 41 new species have been cataloged in total across the region of South Georgia itself.
This field once observed over 3,000 blue whales being killed annually at the height of the early 20th century.
Nonetheless, experts now claim the appearance of the whales heralds a "rediscovery" by new generations of this oceanic larder.
In the western Antarctic Peninsula, similar signs of humpback whale bounce-back have also been recorded.
The stocks of Western Arctic bowhead whales seem to be increasing in amounts last seen in pre-whaling days. Fin and minke whales are still frequently sighted in places across Alaska now.
Why Are The Whales In the Polar Area?
With the whaling industry's decimation, Professor Lauren McWhinnie of Heriot-Watt University claims that the polar waters are among the safest locations for these ocean giants to rebuild their ecosystems.
In The Conversation article, she wrote that the whale ecosystems here are still reasonably pristine and contain reasonably healthy food sources at the moment.
The Arctic also hosts agricultural harvests by aboriginal peoples, according to Professor McWhinnie. But these hunts are closely handled.
However, while the cessation of industrial whaling in 1984 stopped the disappearance of huge whales in the polar regions, policy alone remains inadequate to shield whales from climate change challenges.
Professor McWhinnie warns how, from warming oceans to emissions and commercial fisheries, whales at the poles will begin to experience causes of tension.
With fewer sea ice and longer ice-free cycles in the season, she added that better access and services to the Arctic and Southern oceans entice many businesses to develop or settle in these remote waters.
How to Better Defend Whales From the Increasing Presence of Shipping
Vessel traffic is increasing, particularly in the Arctic. Whales are among the most susceptible to growing noise and possibly lethal collision risks. Luckily, there are easy ways to minimize these impacts.
Slowing vessels down has been reported to minimize the risk of catastrophic encounters with whales.
In particular, this has the added advantage of reducing the amount of noise generated by ships.
Professor McWhinnie suggested that we build slow-down zones for ships in ways we know are utilized by whales, just as the speed limits designers put in busy city centers to minimize the possibility of cars striking pedestrians.
The problem is to find when such steps can be more successful in securing these whales in the Arctic and how we will ensure that such initiatives are carried out while people are not around to effectively track enforcement.
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