Alive or dead? Unpublished study establishes the economic value of the blue whale in Chile, the largest animal in the world

With about 160 tons and more than 30 meters in length, the blue whale, the largest animal that exists on the planet, has an important presence and value in Chile.

A study, titled “On valuing nature-based solutions to climate change: a framework with application to elephants and whales“, carried out by the Meri Foundation, Ralph Chami, assistant director of the International Monetary Fund and universities from different countries (Duke University, Tuscia University, among others), allowed to calculate the value of the species, both economically and for ecosystem purposes.

Sonia Español-Jiménez, cetaceans from the leading area Fundación Meri, points out that “in this pioneering research, scientifically and economically it is established that blue whales in Chile have a value of more than 3 billion dollars (US $ 4 million each) or 2,200,000,000,000 Chilean pesos ”.

“In general, this work provides tools that provide the possibility of changing the focus of public policy, establishing a social and economic value to whales, as well as environmental, product of the associated ecosystem damage, for example, to the death or stranding of whales. In addition, this exercise can be replicated to other species “, adds Español-Jiménez.

Therefore, the researchers suggest that it is necessary to protect the species, which is in the Endangered category (EN), and add something essential: currently, a Balaenoptera musculus (its scientific name), it is worth more alive than dead.

Chami argues that the pioneering work with Fundación Meri in the valuation of the Chilean blue whale, “it is an example of the importance of the Blue Economy, in this case the whale, for our well-being and the viability of our economic system ”.

It is estimated that currently, the population of blue whales in Chile is between 570 and 670 specimens on the coasts of all Chile, including Antarctica, Juan Fernández and Easter Island, Worldwide the number is between eight and 14 thousand.

Rodrigo Hucke-Gaete, academic of the Austral University and president of the NGO Centro Ballena Azul, points out that ten years ago the hypothesis was raised that whales (all) were fertilizers of the ocean. “Through their diet, up to eight tons of krill in a day, and subsequent defecation, provide certain nutrients, essential for the growth of phytoplankton, the analogy of vegetables on Earth.”

The Meri Foundation researcher agrees. “Whales are key to the health of the oceans, this because they provide nutrients. This process is known as “Biological bombs of the Whales” and it refers to the fact that whales feed in deep waters and in waters rich in food, and thanks to their daily movement towards the surface, as well as their migrations, they provide essential nutrients through their feces, urine, skin ” .

Whales meet a fundamental role in the environment, contributing to four ecosystem services: carbon sequestration in their bodies (necessary to combat climate change), carbon sequestration through phytoplankton enhancement, improved fishing and tourism.

“We were at COP25 last year in Madrid, exposing on the potential of whales “Hucke-Gaete adds.

Hucke-Gaete, also marine biologist and Doctor of Science, points out that current regulations are sufficiently protective of all cetaceans, “however, one thing is that it is written, and another is that we have the capacity to implement measures that are effective and also supervise with the rigor required to protect an endangered species “.

“In other words, the sustainability of our economic system depends largely on the sustainability of our ecosystems and the natural world. That also means that we must defend the whale, and then the whale will defend all of humanity, ”adds Chami.

Further, “They have the enormous capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2 of anthropogenic origin, 33 tons throughout their life. This CO2 is stored in their bodies, so when the whales die and their bodies reach the seabed, this gas is retained on the seabed, reducing the CO2 stock ”, explains Sonia Español-Jiménez.

The latter explains that “from a social point of view, whales generate tourist interest, thus supporting employment and the local economy, provided that it is done respecting the behavior of the species ”.

The objective of the initiative is to raise awareness among governments to commit resources for the conservation of these species and restoration of their ecosystems.

Although cetaceans are legally protected in Chile, “for example, their commercial hunting is not allowed, the great challenge that arises both nationally and internationally is to carry out their protection and conservation effectively, therefore, progress must be made towards higher degrees of governance that allow financing to be made available and the necessary resources for better management and control ”, says the scientist from Fundación Meri.

“In that sense, the economic valuation of Chilean blue whales that we have carried out may be a step for them to dialogue the economy and the environment in a model of sustainable growth”Explains Español-Jiménez.