Ghostly silence of Blue Whales is alarming the scientists- here's why
These recordings help scientists track marine life and understand how human activity affects different species.
But over the last decade, things have taken a troubling turn. A
study
published in
PLOS One
reveals that extreme marine heatwaves have disrupted the whales' environment, causing a chain reaction in the ocean's food web.
"Trying to sing while you're starving"
These heat waves have led to toxic algae blooms that poisoned marine mammals and wiped out key food sources like krill and anchovies.
'It caused the most widespread poisoning of marine mammals ever documented,' said John Ryan, a biological oceanographer with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
Blue whale calls have dropped by nearly 40 percent. Ryan added, 'When you really break it down, it's like trying to sing while you're starving. They were spending all their time just trying to find food.'
The problem began with a mysterious patch of warm water in the Pacific Ocean known as 'The Blob.'
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First identified in 2013, it grew by 2016 into a massive region stretching more than 2,000 miles. Rising ocean temperatures wiped out critical food supplies for whales.
Fewer calls, fewer calves
Kelly Benoit-Bird, a marine biologist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, explained the larger risks. 'There are whole ecosystem consequences of these marine heat waves. If they can't find food, and they can traverse the entire West Coast of North America, that is a really large-scale consequence.'
Oregon State University ecologist Dawn Barlow added, 'Fewer feeding opportunities' mean that blue whales 'put less effort into reproduction.' Barlow emphasized that their movement and behavior reveal a lot about ocean health. 'Where they are, and what they're doing can tell you a lot about the health of the ecosystem. The Blob really highlighted how long-term these consequences can be.'
Benoit-Bird warned about reaching a dangerous 'tipping point' that could change how the ocean absorbs carbon. Barlow added, 'Science shows that climate change is impacting the oceans. Listening and learning from these places is essential to our future. Now more than ever, it's important to listen.'
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