What do you think of when you think of the ocean? Amble waves? Starfish? Beautiful coral reefs?
How about a blue whale? For thousands of years, whales have roamed all of the major oceans of our world. They have been hunted since their discovery and have been deemed the largest known creatures to have ever existed. These tender giants used to exist in large numbers such as 30,000 to 300,000 per species, but now, due to numerous factors – they have been deduced to approximately 11,000 per species. To humans, the number 11,000 as a population is considered a small to midsized town such as Katy, Texas. In reality, however, this dwindling number is frightening. All species of whale are either endangered or very seriously threatened.
Why are they endangered?
Japan steals hundreds of whale’s lives every year. These murders are justified under an “institution” called The Institute of Cetacean Research. The ICR claims to be killing unspeakable amounts of whales for “research” but this claim has yet to be supported by any facts whatsoever. Who is letting these merciless murders continue? Why hasn’t anyone shut down the ICR? Perhaps it’s because after it is shut down, a new institute would open up and the process would repeat itself. Governments (such as Australia) and environmentalists have been calling the ICR on their bluff, but no positive progress has been made - meanwhile whales continue to lose their lives.
We can’t just blame corrupt Japanese corporations or illegal whaling on the decline of these creatures. Global warming, which we all play a part in every single day, is threatening plankton blooms. This decrease in blooms affects the entire baleen whale community. All baleen whales consume at least 40 million krill a day. How fast will this number also decrease? What could this mean for the baleen whales?
To say we know little about whales would be an exaggeration - which is why, I’m sure, that the Japanese can use the “research” excuse so freely. Regardless, extensive knowledge of these creatures is not worth killing them, nonetheless endangering them all together.
Without our interference, whales can live up to 30 years old. If we don’t act soon, all known species of whales could disappear from our planet forever. We may possibly be the last generation to live in a world that is shared with whales. We cannot let our generation fail these helpless creatures as previous generations have.
How to Begin Helping the Whales:
Become a Cyber Activist for the Whales!
http://www.madmermaids.com/stop_whaling_cyber_activist.html
Adopt a Whale!
http://www.whalecenter.org/component/content/article/17-roknewsrotator/146-whale-adoption.html
Learn about/donate to Whale Conservational Organizations:
http://www.wildaboutwhales.com.au/whale-conservation/conservation-organisations/
Spread the word. Discuss the importance of whales with your friends and family. Make them acknowledge the importance of whales on both the Earth and in your heart. Thank you.
-Hunter
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