For the first time since the ban on catching fin whales, a research team in Antarctica has discovered larger populations of the more than 20 meters long. During two expeditions near the Antarctic Peninsula in 2018 and 2019, the team led by biologists Helena Herr from the University of Hamburg and Bettina Meyer from the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Bremerhaven made more than 100 observations of one or more common fin whales documented.
Usually there were one to four animals, sometimes more. In fact, groups of about 150 whales were recorded twice in the historic feeding area, the team said in the journal “Scientific Reports.”
Marine mammals weigh up to 70 tons
Fin whales, which can weigh more than 70 tons, mainly feed on krill and small schooling fish. According to the researchers, they were nearly wiped out by whaling in the southern hemisphere. Hunting for them had been banned there as early as 1976 – before the whale moratorium that applies to all large whales.
In the 2000s, more fin whales were finally observed off the Antarctic Peninsula. Herr and Meyer’s team counted the whales using helicopter and drone flights and observations from the ship.
Groups as big as in the early days of whaling
“The observed group sizes of up to 150 animals are unique today and were last described at the beginning of the 20th century, ie at the beginning of whaling in Antarctica,” said Helena Herr, lead author of the study.
“Even if we don’t know the total number of fin whales in Antarctica due to a lack of synchronous observations, it could be a good sign that the Antarctic fin whale population is recovering nearly 50 years after the ban on commercial whaling,” he added. . Bettina Meijer.
The increased supplies impacted the entire Antarctic ecosystem. According to the information, the excrement of the fin whale provides more nutrients in the upper water layers. This benefits other living beings. “The micro-organisms that benefit from the richer supply of nutrients take up a lot of CO2 and thus make a significant contribution to the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere,” said Mr Herr.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
