World Whale Day celebrates the importance of whales and the impact that they have on the overall ecosystem of the ocean. These species have been subject to a decline in population due to many man-made challenges over the years such as an increase in waste production (food, plastics, toxins and chemicals) that get released into the ocean ecosystem. This has had a massive effect on the animals and organisms within the marine ecosystem for different reasons. The biggest reason is the plastics being released into the environment end up either becoming micro-plastics (tiny plastic particles that float around in the water) or end up being ingested by or entangling these organisms. Below is a list of some of the important contributions whales make to our Earth.
- Tourism/Economic Growth
- Whale-watching tours provide not only entertainment for tourists but also an economic boost for local economies that are dependent on the tourism industry.
- Education
- Whales have become an area of great interest and importance for scientists in recent years. From the way whales communicate with each other to analyzing and studying the migration patterns, whales have been studied in many ways over the years. This has provided scientists with information to help ensure the health and survival of whales.
- Food Chain Stabilization
- Food chains within ecosystems rely on balance. Although different species of whale have a very varied diet, the food chain would shift if whales were to suddenly become extinct. This is because the diet of whales is very wide from being top predators (such as Orcas) to eating small organisms at the bottom of the ecosystem (like Blue Whales).
Sources Used:
Why Are Whales Important? | Environment and Ecosystem Impact (whalefacts.org)
Whales and the plastics problem | Stories | WWF (worldwildlife.org)