International call to save species of whales and dolphins – But in our waters the situation is different

– We are seriously concerned that many of the species are extinct. Each and every one of us are specialists in marine mammals and we all think that the situation is critical, begins a call that scientists signed.

The specialists write that about half of the species are critically endangered and that two of them in particular are particularly vulnerable.

Pollution and overfishing

The lack of protection measures, polluted seas and overfishing in the sea can cause the disappearance of several species during our lifetime, the letter states.

“Let this be the historic moment when you realize that whales are in danger, so politicians, scientists and most people take action to save our oceans,” Mark Simmonds told the BBC . Simmonds, a senior marine scientist, has initiated the letter, which has been signed by people around the world.

But there are also several threats that threaten the existence of the species, according to whale researcher Audun Rikardsen. He is a professor of biology at the University of Tromsø and follows animals closely with passion.

– It’s pretty bad with various species and populations of whales around the world, and there are many other threats that are perhaps even more important.

– Ship collisions, noise pollution, damage to habitat and, no less, pollution are threats that we see for populations that concern researchers.

– Do you share the concern of the researchers behind the appeal?

– Yes, somehow we do. Among other things, with orcas, which are believed to be the most contaminated animals in the world. It is a top predator and all environmental toxins are stored up the food chain. For the killer whale, there are several populations around the world where the situation is critical for now, and the same applies to several other species. So all over the world I share the concerns of the appeal.

In 1982, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) adopted a ban on all commercial whaling with effect from 1986. Norway reserved against stopping the hunting of small whales in the Northeast Atlantic, but introduced a temporary suspension of minke whaling since 1987. The catch has been resumed and Norway issues a quota for whaling every year.

And Rikardsen says that the situation in our immediate areas is better than in other parts of the world.

– When we get to the North Atlantic, where we are, the situation is actually a little different. Here we have seen that many of these species have increased after harvest has stopped, and indeed quite steeply in populations. This applies in particular to humpback whales, fin whales and, to that extent, orcas. As well as to some extent the minke whales, which is the species that is hunted. Many of the North Atlantic species appear to be stable, or indeed a little more growing. So here we are in a slightly more fortunate situation.

Only ten California porpoises in the world?

The appeal notes that the northern grouse, which is a large baleen whale, is highly threatened. According to Store norske leksikon, there are only about 400 animals left. It’s even worse for the niece from California. Researchers say there may be as little as ten left.

Sarah Dolman of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the UK tells the BBC that thousands of animals end up dying in fishing nets every year. This includes many humpback whales off the coast of Scotland, he says.

There is also a concern in our waters, according to Rikardsen.

– Could the existence of species in other parts of the world have a ripple effect on populations here?

– Yes, he will do it. But the advantage of the good conditions in the North Atlantic is that here you have a little buffer over the species.

Rikardsen says that species that are extinct in other parts of the world are somewhat genetically distinctive and don’t mix much.

– But when I say that things are better here, it does not mean that we do not have threats to the species that we have here. We have a lot of the same here, even with orcas. Because the levels of environmental toxins in killer whales here are very high, although they are not as high as in populations in other parts of the world.

This spring, several dead whales turned up along the beaches of Nordland and Troms.

– We also know that we probably have some noise pollution that can have some impact when we see whales that shrimp died on land here, especially late winter. We have boat collisions, fishing equipment that involves animals, and weather that affects the food supply to animals. We have these threats here and there, but today it is fortunately seen better in the North Atlantic than many other places, says Rikardsen.