Whales making remarkable comeback in Antarctica's waters – but dangers lie ahead
Words by Senior Producer Rhiannon Hopley
In Antarctica, there is a remarkable comeback taking place. Whales are returning in numbers to its waters. It is thought by scientists that that 2.9 million whales were killed for commercial purposes in the 20th century, driving many species to near extinction.Commercial whaling was banned in 1986 and since then populations around the world have slowly been creeping back up.Humpback whales have been the fastest to recover - they are nearly at pre-whaling levels. The iconic blue whale, the biggest mammal to ever have lived, are having a slower recovery. They were hunted so prolifically during the last century that the population of 42,000 in Antarctic waters was decimated to just 3,000.
But researchers are now sighting them more often - a sign of a positive comeback.
The next challenge is to ensure their recovery continues - but new threats wait around the corner. Antarctic krill fishing has increased dramatically over the past two decades by 400 percent, according to a report from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.The vessels often fish in areas frequented by whales and can catch more than 450,000 tonnes a year. Demand is being driven by the use of krill as food for farmed fish and in supplements like Omega-3 capsules.It is creating competition with whales who travel thousands of miles to feast in Antarctica.
It is also creating a danger, where whales and fishing come into close contact with one another putting the animals in danger of being caught up. One Chilean flagged vessel has had a criminal complaint filed against it after a humpback whale was killed after being caught up in its krill nets. The danger also lies within the food itself.Scientists have discovered microplastics in the stomachs of krill - a worrying development as they are the foundation of the Antarctic food chain. It is not yet known what effect this could have but evidence that the consequences of human behaviour are felt even at the furthest reaches of our planet's wilderness.
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