Whales

1856 Advertisement depicting a whale hunt.

Japan to resume whale hunt

Japans announcement that it is withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission and will resume commercial whale hunting next year, have sparked swift condemnation from other governments and conservation groups. For many years Japan has hunted whales for what it calls "scientific research" and to sell the meat, a programme widely criticised by conservationists.

The frequent use by humpback whales of remote seamounts has important implications for conservation and management.

Seamounts important for humpback whales

Satellite telemetry suggests that seamounts represent an overlooked cryptic habitat for humpback whales

Seamounts probably serve multiple and important roles as breeding locations, resting areas, navigational landmarks or even supplemental feeding grounds for this species, which can be viewed as a transient component of the seamount communities.

Blue whales optimize foraging efficiency by balancing oxygen use and energy gain as a function of prey density
Blue whales optimize foraging efficiency by balancing oxygen use and energy gain as a function of prey density

Blue whales' meal planning is complicated

Feeding performance of blue whales vary wide as a function of prey density and distribution, according to new research just published in Science Advances. Because rorqual whales are air-breathing divers that exhibit a high-cost feeding mechanism, they are under considerable pressure to optimize their foraging success by weighing oxygen use against possible energy gain.

Sperm whale checks out ROV in deep ocean

Oceanographer Robert Ballard and his team were exploring the Gulf of Mexico for E/V Nautilus, an expedition to map the Galapagos Rift and gain a better understanding of how life develops around hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. While looking through the eyes of ROV Hercules, they received a major surprise. The uploaded video captured this unique deep-sea encounter:

Japan's plan to revive its outlawed whaling hits a snag

The Japanese Government had submitted a plan named NEWREP-A for a revamped "research whaling" program for review by an expert panel of the International Whaling Commission. According to this plan, 333 minke whales would be killed annually over 12 years, meaning a total kill of 3,996 animals. This is on top of the nearly 10,000 whales already killed under its scientific permits.

Diving humpback whale
Diving humpback whale

Humpback whale numbers double off Eastern Australia

very year from late April to August, humpback whales migrate north along Australia’s Pacific coast to the warm coastal waters of Queensland and the Coral Sea to mate and give birth. According to Geoffrey Ross, wildlife management officer and coordinator of the Marine Fauna Program for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) off Cape Solander south of Botany Bay, humpback whale migration periods are becoming longer annually as their numbers increase.

Beluga

Churchill tour operators say new boat rules threaten livelihoods

Operators claim new federal regulations meant to protect marine mammals could put them out of business. Wally Daudrich, president of the Beluga Whale Tourism Association and owner of the Lazy Bear Lodge in Churchill, Manitoba, claims rules prohibit boats from approaching belugas any closer than 50 metres.

Research and Adventure on the White Sea Coast

A new eco-tourism project has just been launched on the spectacular coast of the White Sea, from the village of Chupa. Run by Vasily Efimov and Yulia Suprunenko, it offered tours of the sea coast and forest, seal and bird watching, and a trip to see the beluga whales of Nilma, for the first time this winter. The programs for this spring and summer will soon be announced.