The
Future
Many larger kinds of whales face an uncertain future because whalers have killed so many blue, bowed, humpback, and right whales that those species have been threatened with extinction. Over hunting also has greatly reduced the number of fin and sei whales.
In 1946, the major whaling countries formed the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to protect whales from over hunting and to regulate the whaling industry.
By 1988, all nations had halted commercial whaling. In 1993, Norway resumed commercial hunting of minke whales.
Most biologists believe that all species of large baleen whales have been saved for the present. However, complete protection of endangered baleen species must continue for a long time to allow them to recover from years of extreme over hunting. Even with protection, some species may not be able to recover. For example, the right whale has been fully protected since 1935 but it has not yet made comeback.
Many smaller toothed whales, especially dolphins and porpoises, remain threatened. Large numbers of whales die after becoming accidentally trapped in huge nets set for fish. Many are also deliberately killed for use as fishing bait and food. Some toothed whale populations have decreased because people have polluted ocean waters with chemicals and other substances, and human activities have also caused river dolphins, harbour porpoises, and some coastal dolphins to become seriously endangered.
Every year, the number of people in the world increases, and so the demand for food rises constantly. This fact may threaten the survival of whales and if the population does not level off, people may have to compete with whales for food from the sea. Some nations have already begun experimental fishing for krill, the main food of whales in Antarctic waters.
We should all pull together and help the whale and dolphins species survive for our children's children's children's children's children to see!
For more info on the future of whales and dolphins, visit - www.greenpeace.org
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