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The Grandest of Them All
Less than half a century after extensive hunting brought the blue whale to the very brink of extinction, the species—believed to be the largest creature to have ever lived—has begun to slowly recover, and in-so-doing has developed a certain affinity for the Santa Barbara Channel. Other recovering species of whale, such as humpbacks and grays, have also been drawn to the nutrient-rich waters of the Channel, allowing for the growth of a vibrant local whale watching industry. These encouraging signs of recovery notwithstanding, current whale populations continue to be just a tiny fraction of what they once were and, despite the existence of several international and domestic laws protecting them, remain extremely vulnerable.
It is believed that 360,000 blue whales were killed by whalers in the 20th century, while current estimates place the global population somewhere between 5,000 and 12,000 whales—less than one percent of the historic value. The carnage was especially devastating in the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean, where whalers killed 999 out of every 1,000 blue whales in the span of less than 70 years.
In 1966, with the blue whale on the verge of disappearing forever, the International Whaling Commission finally banned blue whale hunting. Two decades later, in 1986, the commission finished laying the groundwork for international conservation by enacting a moratorium on commercial hunting of all whale species. Meanwhile, in 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act, under which nearly every species of whale is listed as endangered. These laws have been critical in stabilizing global whale populations, but conservationists must remain vigilant if further loses are to be prevented.
Despite holding the mantle of the largest living creature on the planet, we, paradoxically, know very little about the blue whale. There are believed to be a handful of population subgroups scattered about the globe, the largest of which summers off the coast of California.
In 2007, the urgent need to address ship strikes was tragically illustrated, when at least four blue whales were struck and killed within the Santa Barbara Channel during a three-week period. In the wake of these deaths, EDC has been pursing immediate protective mechanisms including shipping lane changes and mandatory speed limits. To accomplish this...
EDC IS PURSUING PROTECTION OF BLUE WHALES ON FOUR FRONTS:
(1) Blue Whale Recovery Plan
On behalf of the EDC, Friends of the Earth, Pacific Environment and Center for Biological Diversity, we sent a formal notice to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), demanding that the Service implement critical provisions of its 1998 Blue Whale Recovery Plan. Despite the fact that more than a decade has passed since NMFS approved the Recovery Plan, the agency has failed to carry out key provisions of the Plan intended both to minimize or eliminate threats caused by ship strikes, pollution, and other harmful activities. As a follow-up to this notice, NMFS is convening a series of science workshops focusing on whale and ship patterns in our area.
(2) US Coast Guard Port Access Route Study (PARS)
Recent changes in ship traffic near the Channel Islands, resulting from new State air quality laws, have resulted in safety and other concerns. Ships that used to travel within established lanes within the Channel are now travelling in a haphazard fashion outside the Islands. The US Coast Guard initiated a PARS process to study the safety, navigational and military implications of this shift in ship traffic. EDC submitted comments pointing out the need to address environmental concerns as well, especially as they relate to potential collisions with migrating whales. In addition, EDC authored an article recently published in U.C. Berkeley’s Ecology Law Currents explaining how the PARS process could be a powerful tool for whale conservation.
(3) Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
EDC Chief Counsel Linda Krop served on the CINMS Subcommittee on whales and ship strikes. As a member of the subcommittee, EDC pushed for increased notices to mariners (advising ships when whales are in the area) and measures to reduce ship speeds. Studies have shown that if ships reduce speed, the likelihood of a ship strike may be decreased, as well as the impact of the strike. The subcommittee developed a report with recommendations to advise the Sanctuary program as well as other Federal agencies.
(4) Petition to Establish 10-Knot Speed Limit in CA National Marine Sanctuaries
EDC, along with four other conservation groups, filed a legal petition today seeking a mandatory speed limit of 10-knots for large ships traveling through California’s marine sanctuaries. California’s national marine sanctuaries have some of the nation’s richest marine wildlife and habitats as well as some of the most heavily trafficked shipping lanes in the country. Reducing ship speeds will benefit whales, other marine life, and people. Studies have shown that if ships reduce speed, the likelihood of a ship strike may be decreased, as well as the impact of the strike. Lower ship speeds also reduce harmful under water noise pollution that interferes with whale communication. Slower ships emit less air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, improving the air we breathe. A speed limit for large ships in our California National Marine Sanctuaries will benefit marine wildlife (like blue and other whales), reduce air pollution and CO2 emission, and reduce ocean noise pollution.
