Fraser Whales Fight Climate Change
Discover the enviro-warrior Humpbacks of Hervey Bay
Not only are whales intelligent creatures who sing, communicate and have exceptional memories, they are also cleaning up the planet. A report published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that whales capture carbon and fight climate change by simply existing. This incredible phenomenon takes place as their protein-rich blubber layer sequesters the carbon, removing it from the ocean and lessening greenhouse gas effects.
Waste not, want not
Whale excrement is full of nutrients and minerals, in particular iron and nitrogen. That’s right, we’re talking about powerhouse poo. These compounds are vital to the growth of phytoplankton which remove carbon from the air. Whales migrate from nutrient-rich to nutrient-poor areas and stimulate the growth of these tiny, yet important, phytoplankton. This correlation is so prevalent that researchers have discovered that whales have a multiplier effect on phytoplankton wherever they swim!
Phytoplankton are incredible organisms that supply a whopping 50% of all oxygen in our atmosphere and capture 37 billion tonnes of carbon. To put that in perspective, the phytoplankton population captures more carbon than FOUR Amazon rainforests, which wouldn’t be possible without the minerals found in whale poo. Whales really are extraordinary, from their heads down to their excrement!
Crunch the numbers
The IMF has recently quantified these ecosystem benefits to be worth a whopping $2 million over a single whale’s lifetime. All up, that’s roughly one trillion dollars of benefit to our planet in combatting climate change. Talk about unpaid labour!
Increasing the whale population
Whales haven’t had the easiest existence when it comes to human interference. The population has been hit by severe commercial whaling, and still continues to be threatened by microplastics, water pollution, ships, human noise and fishing nets. The IMF calls for better protection of whale populations for the global good, on both ecological and economic levels. By increasing the number of whales in our oceans, we would see more phytoplankton, more carbon sequestered from the ocean and the atmosphere.
Eco-certified experiences
As the oceans warm at record-high rates and greenhouse gas effects are causing more extreme weather events than ever before, human-led climate change poses a severe threat to the future of the Reef. Whales are performing a crucial task to mitigate these impacts, naturally, and their protection needs to be prioritised, globally.
As creatures that are directly impacted by increasing ocean temperatures, whales are not only cleaning up their mess, but ours too. The best way to appreciate and learn about these incredible mammals is to experience their wonder for yourself. All of our tours are awarded either an ecotourism or advanced ecotourism certification by Ecotourism Australia. You can assure your Hervey Bay whale watching tour operates with sustainable practices and contributes to helping the environment while inspiring a passion for ocean conservation.