Whales - A unique climate change solution

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Why do whales matter in the fight to save our oceans?

These incredible animals are able to modify the environment around them and help:

  • Minimise the effects of climate change.

  • Support healthy commercial fisheries.

  • Support thriving marine tourism industries.

In the Southern Ocean alone, the 12,000 or so sperm whales found there enrich the iron-poor waters with their poop, allowing phytoplankton to bloom and minimising the impacts of climate change. These sperm whales remove 200 000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year!

Find our more about whales in my latest infographic for LiveAboard.com.

It’s a great resource for adults and children to learn about:

  • How whales support the health of our oceans and minimise climate change.

  • Current threats to whales.

  • How you can contribute to whale conservation from home.

Download your FREE Ocean Superheroes infographic today.

Click on the image below to get your copy now.

Scuba Diving With Whales in Mexico

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Featured on Sportdiver:It's the start of whale watching season in Mexico, so a lot of my recent work with media outlets has been focussed on these ocean giants. Mexico is incredible for large pelagics and you can spot thousands of humpbacks during whale season, plus maybe see blue whales, sperm whales, minke whales, pilot whales and even orcas.Mexico is suddenly at the top of my diving wishlist.Find out more in Scuba Diving with Whales in Mexico.

Diving With Pint-Sized Whales

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Featured on Scubadivermag:The Great Barrier Reef, Australia is the only place in the world where you can swim with dwarf minke whales and the whale expeditions there have had a 98% success rate of finding minke whales since they began in 1996! The largest pod they have seen consisted of 28 whales and their longest encounter with the whales lasted a whopping 10 hours!https://www.scubadivermag.com/diving-with-pint-sized-whales/

New Blue Whale Population Discovered off New Zealand

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There is a population of blue whales living in the Taranaki Bight of New Zealand. Studies have confirmed there are approximately 700 blue whales there and they are genetically distinct from other blue whale populations.
 
"Their discovery is being hailed as significant because the whales’ home in the South Taranaki Bight is also the setting for several oil and gas rigs and is set to be targeted by seafloor mining operations."
 
"In light of the planned industrial work in the region, Dr Torres and her colleagues intend to present their findings to political and industry leaders – including representatives from the whaling industry."
 
Great work by Dr Torres and the team at the Marine Mammal Institute. Here's hoping the whales get the protection they need.
 

Vancouver Park Board Votes to Ban Cetacean Captivity

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Vancouver Park Board has voted to ban the importation and display of live cetaceans at Vancouver Aquarium. The vote came after two nights of debate and thousands of public submissions concerning the welfare of captive cetaceans. The ban will come into effect by amending a Parks Control bylaw in 2017.http://ca.thescubanews.com/2017/04/05/vancouver-park-board-votes-to-ban-cetacean-captivity-at-the-citys-aquarium/