Wild Cetacean News

Minister casts doubt over future of whaling in Iceland

Cruel hunts could end in 12 months
Following three years with no whaling in Iceland, the country’s Fisheries Minister has cast doubt over the return of the cruel hunts.

In an article published by local news outlet Morgunblaðið, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Iceland’s Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries said that there is now little justification for authorizing whaling.

Minister casts doubt over future of whaling in Iceland - Whale and Dolphin Conservation

 

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Proposed Bill to Assist Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale

Today, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Right Whale Coexistence Act of 2022, which seeks to reduce human impacts on critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) will introduce a companion bill in the House this Friday.

“We are incredibly grateful to Senator Booker, Representative Moulton and all co-sponsors for this bold initiative to combat the right whale’s dire predicament,” saidJ Davenport, senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife. “Human activities have killed over 200 right whales in the past twelve years alone. This new bill represents a major opportunity for the federal government to accelerate research on solutions to slow—and actually reverse—the species’ rapid decline towards extinction.”

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Proposed Bill to Assist Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale

 

Humpback whales no longer listed as endangered after major recovery

Humpback whales will be removed from Australia's threatened-species list, after the government's independent scientific panel on threatened species deemed the mammals had made a major recovery.

Key points:

• Humpback whales will no longer be considered an endangered or vulnerable species
• Climate change and fishing still pose threats to their long-term health
• Some conservationists warn the delisting has come too soon

Whaling drove the species to near extinction. However since the 1980s, when the practice largely ended, the population has substantially grown.

https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/100862644

 

Scientists Say Environmental DNA Can Detect Whales and Dolphins in New York Waters

• Results are some of the most promising to date in the open Ocean
• Massive renewable energy projects coming to the New York Bight could impact whales and dolphins

A team of scientists used an emerging genetic tool that analyzes DNA in water samples to detect whales and dolphins in New York waters.

Called environmental DNA or eDNA, the technique searches for trace amounts of genetic material left behind by wildlife.

The scientists, from California State University, CUNY, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Columbia University, published their results in the journal Frontiers.

Scientists Say Environmental DNA Can Detect Whales and Dolphins in New York Waters

 

Welsh tidal turbines could be catastrophic for porpoises

A proposal for underwater tidal turbines in an area where porpoises and Risso’s dolphins come to feed and raise their newborns is threatening the West Wales Marine Special Area of Conservation and wildlife it protects.

Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) is a small wildlife-rich island, at the tip of the Llyn Peninsula, in North Wales. The surrounding seas are some of the most protected around the UK, including the West Wales Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) created to protect harbour porpoises, and Llyn Peninsula and the Sarnau SAC, a haven for bottlenose dolphins.

Welsh tidal turbines could be catastrophic for porpoises - Whale and Dolphin Conservation

 

Mapping ‘Whale Superhighways’ to Protect the Fertilizers of the Sea

Using satellite data, scientists plotted whales’ migratory routes to help the marine mammals avoid ship collisions and other threats.

Scientists for the first time have mapped the world’s “whale superhighways,” the migratory routes the giant marine mammals follow as they traverse the globe.

Analyzing data generated by satellite tags attached to more than 1,000 whales, researchers plotted the cetaceans’ movements through what they call “blue corridors.” That allows scientists to pinpoint where whales, many of them endangered, are likely to cross paths with ships, fishing gear, plastic pollution and other deadly threats, according to the report released on Feb. 17 by environmental group WWF.

Mapping ‘Whale Superhighways’ to Protect the Fertilizers of the Sea

 

Orca recorded singing at Bremer Canyon, Western Australia, as marine biologists watch on

In a rare occurrence off Western Australia's south coast, the sounds of a female orca have been captured on tape.

Key points:

• The female orca was singing as she swam close to the vessel, thrilling onlookers
• Researchers say capturing such clear and loud song is extremely rare
• A marine biologist says the orca appeared to be sending a friendly message

In the short clip, shot about 50 kilometres offshore from the popular tourist town of Bremer Bay, the apex predator can be seen looking at the underwater camera while she emits a clear song.

Naturaliste Charters marine biologist Pia Markovic regularly collects data on the different pods that frequent Bremer Canyon and says this particular orca is well known to tourist operators and researchers.

"The orca actually goes by many different names," she told the ABC's Peter Barr.

"The official name that we call her is Split Tip, but she has a whole load of other nicknames, including The Huntress or The Boss.

"When we recorded that sound, she was right next to the side of our vessel, calm and confident.

"She was swimming around with her belly up at first and then rolled over and made a heap of noise at the surface that we could hear from on the boat.

"Then when we put the GoPro down she turned around and made that sound underwater."

https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/100882462

 

I knew that they were Endangered, but oh my god! Their situation is worse than I thought...

The Last Freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphin in Cambodia Died Tangled in a Fishing Net, Officials Say

The last known Irrawaddy dolphin in northeastern Cambodia has died, wildlife officials confirmed on Wednesday. The river dolphin, which lived in the Mekong River, was tangled in a fishing net.

Also called the Mekong River dolphin, the Irrawaddy dolphin is an endangered species with an estimated 91 animals left, according to the World Wildlife Foundation. As of 2020, experts estimated around 89 surviving Irrawaddy dolphins, as reported by Los Angles Times. Aside from Mekong River, the Irrawaddy dolphin is found in the Myanmar River, the Indonesian Borneo River, and southern coastal regions of Asia.

The Last Freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphin in Cambodia Died Tangled in a Fishing Net, Officials Say - EcoWatch

 

Yikes, didn't know it was getting so bad. I wish there was more publicity to river dolphin conservation. Oceanic dolphins get a lot of attention, no problem with that, but river dolphins are largely ignored despite being in more danger as a whole.

 

Thank you for the clarification @Chlidonias

 

I am going to say, now I can breathe a sigh of relief. Pardon my not catching these errors...

 

Pygmy sperm whale euthanized after being stranded ashore in Malibu

A pygmy sperm whale that washed ashore Sunday in Malibu had to be euthanized, the California Wildlife Center said.

Los Angeles County lifeguards and fire personnel rescued the beached whale around 4:40 p.m. at Malibu Surfrider Beach.

The silver whale had bloody scrapes along its face and body. In photos posted on Twitter by Los Angeles County lifeguards, rescue personnel can be seen straining to move the animal from the beach.

https://www-latimes-com.cdn.ampproj...ized-after-washing-ashore-in-malibu?_amp=true

 

Beluga Surrogate Review Offers Hope for Species Recovery

Defenders of Wildlife has been fighting for Cook Inlet beluga whale recovery for years. These highly social, gregarious animals are nicknamed "sea canaries" because of their squeals, squeaks and chirps. There are five populations of belugas in Alaska. Defenders and partners petitioned to get the Cook Inlet beluga whale population listed as an endangered species in 2007. This is now the only population that is currently listed under the Endangered Species Act, and while the protections provided under the Act are some of the strongest in the world for imperiled species, the population continues to dwindle. With just 279 Cook Inlet belugas left, this population has declined more than 75% from its historic population of 1,300 individuals in 1979. Cook Inlet belugas need our help now more than ever.

Beluga Surrogate Review Offers Hope for Species Recovery

 

Why whales flee from sonar—sometimes to their death

Study suggests the sound is loud enough to trigger same terror as caused by their most fearsome predators

When naval ships and other sea vessels use sonar, many whale species flee for their lives; some even strand themselves on beaches in a desperate attempt to escape. Now, scientists have discovered the most likely reason: The loud sounds trigger the same fear response as when the animals hear calls emitted by one of their most terrifying predators: killer whales.

“It’s a great study,” says Robin Baird, who investigates the effects of sonar on dolphins and whales (collectively known as cetaceans) at Cascadia Research Collective, a marine science nonprofit. The work should help scientists predict which species are most susceptible to human-made sounds, says Baird, who was not involved with the project.

Science | AAAS

 

Icelandic tourist board backs end to whaling

The man behind Iceland’s only fin whale hunting company has hit back at recent announcements from within the country that whaling could be ending for good, by hinting that he would like his whaling boats to go out again this summer.

Kristján Loftsson, CEO of Hvalur hf. has announced to Icelandic media that he expects the hunting to start in June but it remains to be seen if this will happen.

There has been no whaling in Iceland for the past three years and only weeks ago the country’s Fisheries Minister cast doubt over the return of the cruel hunts, a view backed up by the Icelandic tourist board.

Icelandic tourist board backs end to whaling

 

Here is another relevant article to this story

‘Meet us, don’t eat us’: Iceland turns from whale eaters to whale watchers

The country’s plan to end commercial whaling is driven by falling demand but also a 15-year-long campaign aimed at their biggest consumers of whale meat – tourists

On board a small whale-watching boat making its way across the choppy waters of Faxaflói Bay, off the south-west coast of Iceland, a guide urges tourists not to eat whale meat. “We have a campaign here against whaling,” says Estelle, who has been pointing out whales and dolphins from the boat. “It’s better to meet them in person than to eat them.

‘Meet us, don’t eat us’: Iceland turns from whale eaters to whale watchers

 

Seafood Watch Warns Against Consuming Lobster, Snow Crab, to Help Save Right Whales

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program recommends that consumers avoid eating any lobster or snow crab caught in the U.S. and Canada, as commercial fishing has put the endangered North Atlantic right whales at further risk of extinction.

There are about 70 reproductively active females left of the species, as reported by NRDC, and fewer than 340 North Atlantic right whales exist. From 2015 to 2019, there was an average decline of 31 deaths and critical injuries per year. The population declined an additional 8% from 2019 to 2020.

https://www-ecowatch-com.cdn.amppro...ing-lobster-crab-endangered-right-whales.html

 

What It’s Like to Study Endangered Killer Whales

Researcher Deborah Giles is on the frontlines of efforts to understand — and help protect — critically endangered Southern Residents.

You can learn a lot from poop.

Deborah Giles would know. As the research director of the nonprofit Wild Orca and a research scientist at the University of Washington, Giles has worked for years on a project collecting scat from endangered Southern Resident killer whales to better understand their health.

What It’s Like to Study Endangered Killer Whales • The Revelator

 

Here is another relevant article.

Death of last river dolphin in Laos rings alarm bells for Mekong population

• Earlier this year, the last Irrawaddy river dolphin in a transboundary pool between Cambodia and Laos became entangled in fishing gear and died, signifying the extinction of the species in Laos.

• The transboundary subpopulation had dwindled from 17 individuals in 1993, with experts blaming a range of factors — from the use of gill nets and other illegal fishing practices, to overfishing, genetic isolation, and the effects of upstream dams on river flow and prey availability.
• With the loss, there are now just an estimated 89 Irrawaddy dolphins left in the Mekong River, all within a 180-km (110-mi) stretch in Cambodia, where they face the same range of threats that wiped out the transboundary group.
• Authorities and conservationists say they are now resolved to strengthen protections and improve public awareness of the dolphins’ vulnerability to ensure the species has a future in the Mekong.

Known only by his identity code, ID#35 was the last individual of a doomed subpopulation of freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris). He was the sole occupant of a deep pool in the Mekong River that spans the border between Cambodia and Laos, and fought for several weeks against lacerations to his tail from entanglement in illegal fishing gear. He had been struggling to swim, let alone to feed himself.

https://news-mongabay-com.cdn.amppr...-rings-alarm-bells-for-mekong-population/amp/