Although most whales live elsewhere, you do occasionally glimpse one in English waters (often the south west), although they live more in Scotland waters, when not migrating.
But whether we see them or not, all of us have a part to play in helping these magnificent creatures, some of which are now endangered due to habitat loss, plastic and noise pollution, and whale hunting.
Some whales are so rare, they have never been seen alive (just a few washed ashore). Beluga and narwhal toothed whales live in Arctic waters (the latter known for its long tooth, which looks like a unicorn tusk).
It’s believed there are only around 70 reproductive female North Atlantic right whales left (same as the vaquita – a porpoise often mistaken for a whale).
Species of Endangered Whales
There are many species of whales. You are likely familiar with blue whales (the largest on earth) which occasionally visit England). Other species include humpback whales, baleen whales and fin whales.
Ecological Importance of Whales
Whales are often called the ‘gardeners of the ocean’. They mostly eat plankton, which lifts nutrients from the deep water to the surface, to help plankton grow. This helps to feed fish.
Then when whales naturally die, their bodies sink to the sea floor, and feed countless creatures.
They are ‘filter feeders’ which means they open their huge mouths to ingest anything (which unfortunately includes litter and plastic), then shoots out water from their blowhole (which works a bit like our nostrils).
Threats Facing Endangered Whales
Aside from the obvious (climate change causes warming waters to affect food and migration patterns), whales face many other hazards:
Overfishing and By-Catch
Although some cultures just fish for what they need, the huge over-fishing industry catches everything in its past, including other creatures that get trapped in nets or suffer from ship strike.
These creatures then suffocate or die. If you do eat fish, look for brands that guarantee using methods that do not catch other creatures.
Pollution and Plastic Waste
Most discarded rubbish ends up in our seas, whether it’s dropped from boats, littered by the seaside or littered in rivers or down toilets (which also inevitably ends up in our seas).
From plastic to oil pollution, and from plastic straws to things flushed down loos (you should only flush toilet paper), it all creates issues for whales and other marine creatures.
Noise Pollution and Ship Strikes
As you likely know, whales sing to each other under water, with the sound travelling miles. Any form of noise pollution (say from ships) makes it harder for them to communicate (like you trying to talk to someone in a noisy nightclub).
This in turn affects breeding. Ships can also hit whales, and harm or kill them. Whales are particularly at risk in areas with lots of ships like the English Channel (the world’s busiest shipping lane).
Whaling and the Use of Whale Meat
Thankfully whale blubber is no longer used in the beauty industry (replaced by jojoba oil, though still be aware that some ‘squalane’ is not plant-based but from sharks).
However, although commercial whaling for meat is now banned internationally, some countries still flout the law (Japan, Norway and Iceland).
The Danish-owned Faroe Islands also hunt whales (not commercially, but say that it’s a form of finding food). This may seem natural to them, but it’s a nightmare for visitors, who find blood-soaked beaches, if they arrive after whales have been hunted. Locals herd them into shallow bays, before killing them.
People used to hunt whales in England. Though it’s a lovely seaside resort, it’s mysterious why Whitby Council continue to display real whale bones at the harbour, almost like a celebration of the days when it would kill whales (and polar bears, brought back from Arctic boat expeditions).
If the slavery statues have been removed in Bristol, why are whaling celebrations still standing in Whitby?
Ways to Protect Endangered Whales
You don’t have to live abroad to help endangered whales. There are many things we can all do collectively, to make a difference.
Worldwide, the best solution is to create ocean sanctuaries. These are kind of like the ‘Switzerland of the seas’ – peaceful spaces that are not owned by any country. So no-one is allowed to fish, hunt or pollute the area. Most ships also are not allowed (or if they do venture nearby, there are strict rules on speed and pollution. Jet skis are not allowed either.
This gives all fish, seabirds and marine creatures room to ‘feed and breed’. They are basically safe from human interference (though of course any pollution or litter travels worldwide in the oceans, often from thousands of miles away).
Reduce Ocean Pollution & Litter
- Choose reusable over disposable, taking litter home with you. If you smoke, use a personal ashtray (this immediately extinguishes cigarette butts, until you find a bin).
- Get involved in volunteer beach clean-ups to remove existing waste, and encourage local people to keep beaches clean.
- If you eat fish, look for brands that are certified to never use methods that by-catch other creatures.
- If you travel abroad, stick to veggie dishes. Due to most countries that still use whaling being aware of how people feel, they often serve up whale meat as ‘steak’.
Support Whale Conservation Charities
Whale and Dolphin Conservation is England’s main charity, which educates the public and organises petitions.
You can donate anonymously to favourite small charities if wished. Or choose this charity at easyfundraising, where participating shops and services donate a portion of your payment to your chosen cause, so it doesn’t cost you a penny.
If you like a flutter, switch from the National Lottery, and play their lottery instead. It costs far less, you have more chance of winning, and the top prize is £10,000.
This organic cotton ‘whales’ hoody by Greenpeace helps to alert people to care for our gigantic ocean friends.
Ask Michelin to Stop Serving Whale Meat
Whale & Dolphin Conservation is campaigning for the Michelin Food Guide to stop recommending (and giving Michelin stars) to restaurants that serve whale meat. It would not recommend restaurants that serve tiger or rhino meat, so why whales?
Be a Wildlife-Friendly Boater
WiSE is the national scheme that lists wildlife-friendly boat operators, and people who own boats (private or professional use) can take a five-hour course (refreshed every 3 years) to be a wildlife-friendly sailor. You can then use their logo on your literature.
How to Help Stranded and Injured Whales
If you see any marine creature you are concerned about, call British Divers Marine Life Rescue(the RSPCA and Coastguard can also put you through).
- While you wait for help, keep yourself safe by steering clear of thrashing tails and high tides, and put on gloves, if needed.
- Keep the area quiet, to reduce stress. Upright the whale (if on its side) by gently rolling onto its underbelly (ask for help). Dog trenches under the pectoral fins, so the whale can ‘hang’ comfortably.
- If the whale is stranded on land, pour water over it, to keep skin moisture. Never pour water into the blowhole (this the whale’s nostril, needed to breathe). Instead soak seaweed and drape it over the whale’s body (again, not the blowhole).
If you wish, you can take a Marine Mammal Medic Course, to be of the organisation’s emergency rescue volunteers (you must have a smartphone to be alerted). You receive a lifejacket and insurance, for the first year.
You will learn how to rescue whales, dolphins and seals. The dummy whales used on beaches are so lifelike, that often local rush over to help!
Books to Learn More About Whales
Life After Whale is a fascinating story of what happens to a whale’s body, after it dies naturally in the ocean. Ideal to children on how ecosystems work, the earth’s largest creature (the blue whale) does not truly ‘die’ at the end of life.
When this whale closes her eyes for the last time in her 90-year life, a process known as ‘whale fall’ is just beginning. Her body will float to the surface, then slowly sink through the deep, from inflated being to clean-picked skeleton, offering food and shelter to many other creatures, for many years.
The Little Book of Whales is a beautifully little keepsake book, packed with facts so that by the end, you will know everything there is to know about our singing ocean friends.
Illustrated with art and colour photos, it fits an astonishing amount of information into a small book, from anatomy and reproduction, to habitat and conservation.
