A new report from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) confirms the great ecological value that whales could have in mitigating climate change, transporting nutrients, improving marine productivity and promoting biodiversity in marine ecosystems.
The world’s leading experts came together last April for a three-day workshop that was co-sponsored by the IWC and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
The debate focused on the primary functions of cetaceans in ecosystems: the transport of nutrients both in the water and in their feeding and reproduction areas, the impact of ‘whale falls’ (when they die and sink to the bottom marine) on biodiversity and the role of cetaceans as predators and prey.
Thus, the experts agreed on the beneficial impact of cetaceans on marine ecosystems. According to scientists, whales contribute to the productivity of the oceans through their droppings (which can affect fishing performance) and their large bodies that act as carbon sinks (which contribute to the fight against climate change). .
Whales, essential for ecosystems
“Scientific evidence has demonstrated the valuable role of cetaceans as ecosystem engineers, including their ability to enhance biodiversity,” explained Joe Roman, a biologist at the University of Vermont and lead author of the workshop.
Thus, scientists argue that commercial whaling has contributed to the killing of almost 3 million cetaceans in the 20th century alone, significantly reducing the ability of these animals to mitigate climate change.
As some whale populations have recovered after decades of protection, they have resumed their role of helping to store carbon.
However, that beneficial role is still hampered by other threats, in particular illegal or accidental capture.
Mitigate climate change
According to United Nations Environment Partner Steven Lutz, protecting cetaceans is critical to promoting ocean blue carbon as a nature-based solution.
For her part, Astrid Fuchs, manager of Whale and Dolphin Conservation, points out that “the destruction of cetacean populations during the last 200 years has unbalanced the marine ecosystem.”
Now, scientists know that by helping whale and dolphin populations to recover, it can also help heal the ocean as part of a nature-based solution.
For this, it is essential to reduce whaling, pollution and collisions with ships, creating safe environments for them to live and reproduce.
During the past five decades, humans have learned about their intelligence, their social complexities, and the culture of whales. Now science is revealing more and more about its important role for the health of the oceans.
And, although in the 1970s these animals became the symbol of the environmental movement, these animals should really be treated as a life support for the oceans.
We must protect cetaceans, as our lives also depend on them.
