Management History
Proposed Management Plan
Over the years the threat to humpback whale populations worldwide has grown as humans have become more industrialized. Although commercial whaling has the most media attention, there are bigger threats facing whale populations worldwide.
Major threats:
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Whaling – Once a major concern, whaling is now prohibited after the International Whaling Commission in 1986 was reinforced.
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Habitat – Loss through pollution, development, and urbanization prohibit migration routes and calving grounds.
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Collision with Ships – Some whales can be unaware of ships. The commercial fishing industry continues to take a toll on whales and dolphins. This is due to the fishing gear used by these companies, which can injure or kill whales by starving or drowning them.
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Noise Pollution – Fish farms use acoustic harassment to keep whales away from nurseries. Also, noise produced by ships may disturb normal migration paths of whales, while also interrupting their ability to communicate with one another.
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Chemical Pollution – As harmful toxins are released into the ocean, whales are exposed to these chemicals. Also, they tend to carry higher concentrations of chemicals because of biomagnification.
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Human activity- Whale watching vessels may stress or even strike whales. The growing whale-watching industry may impact whales in localized areas.
In the past, the humpback whale population declined rapidly due to overharvesting and human activity. However, the conservation efforts were improved due to several acts that were enforced.
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The International Whaling commission in 1966 made whaling illegal and improved the ecosystem by rebuilding whale population.
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The Federal Endangered Species Act by Florida’s endangered and threatened species rule
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“No person shall take, possess, or sell any of the endangered or threatened species included in this subsection, or parts thereof or their nests or eggs except as allowed by specific federal or state permit or authorization.”
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Marine Mammal protection Act in 1972
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“These species or stocks must not be permitted to fall below their optimum sustainable population level.” Which prevent the population of endanger specie go extinction.
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Many conservation plans have already been implemented in the restoration of the humpback whale population. There are international laws that ban whaling, International Whaling Commission. However, not all nations agree with this law/ban. Compromises of where and when whale hunting can be allowed can be brought up; which will allow the continuation of any business in the whaling industry and growth of the whale population without drastically harming each other. To just tell a nation to stop doing something might be impossible but asking them to do something in moderation seems more plausible. Our management plan would also include finding and protecting the whale’s migration paths and their breeding grounds. Protecting specific spots that the humpback whales gather would be of much benefit for preventing fishermen from continuing whaling activities. Finding the paths also helps regular ships avoid collisions with the whales.
Issues of pollution will continue to be a problem for all types of sea animals, including the humpback whale. Pollution leads to habitat loss which is crucial for humpback whale mating and reproduction. Humpback whales can interact with pollution in a number of ways. Humpback whales occasionally come up to the surface to eat but waste can be floating on top of the surface will be digested by the whale; they can also get caught in the random garbage that floats out to sea. Ocean pollution can be managed to bring less harm to the ocean.
The most important issue to be address is to find a system to make sure more waste is not going into the oceans. By following ocean currents, we can set up checkpoints were trash and waste can be collected and filtered out of the ocean. Things like plastic bags, bottles, various oils/liquid substances can be picked up near the coast to ensure that the pollution does not go out into the ocean where it is difficult to manage. The cleanup of the ocean will be very difficult. The ocean is vast in its nature and is will be difficult to go out and clean every corner of the ocean. Setting up measures so that the ocean does not get any worse is the most important step for the ocean to naturally balance itself out.
Rope Attached to Whale
Waste Pollution
The main goal that needs to be achieved is the decrease of human intervention/activity with the humpback whales. The main points that must be achieved are:
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Decrease in whaling activity worldwide
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Pollution management in the ocean
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Increased research on humpback whales
Research is the key to understanding humpback whales. More research of population dynamics can help us determine when are the best times for whale hunting or the right locations for whale hunting. The more we know, the more we can help revitalize the humpback whale population to be health. So far, humpback whale population has been increasing but in poor environmental conditions. This could lead to defects in breeding or survival in the long run. If we can learn how humpback whales react to certain stimuli, we as a society can pin point the changes that need to made to help the humpback whale population.
