Whales Singing/Communication Diminishing – 7.I3pm Saturday August 9th 2025
Whales Singing/Communication Diminishing – 7.I3pm Saturday August 9th 2025
I thought on this and have noticed that it has been observed in multiple species. The recent article referenced the blue whale. It indicates a new behaviour as a consequence of a reasonably new problem. If whales fall silent it would presumably negatively affect whales communication and reproduction and obviously their mental state.
As it is new and being professionally observed and documented, then perhaps we will have to intervene?
As I understand it, a male sperm whale’s call can be heard for hundreds of miles.
I think there may be another reason for this new absence of vocals and it may be to prevent Orca from pinpointing where they are. Additionally, if food is scarce and I suspect it’s definitely impacted by our fishing activities, the whales could also have concerns that their sounds may lessen their ability to find food. Primarily though, I suspect it’s the Orca.
My thought is that the Orca behaviour towards the sharks (liver only) and the gentle big whales is fairly new. The great whites would have been finished off long ago if it was old behaviour, so it would seem to me that the Orca are not finding their preferred food/s and are targeting sharks and whales and only certain parts of these creatures.
Additionally the water temperature is affecting migrations etcetera which isn’t helping matters.
Without being able to communicate and a high fear state of Orca (if so) living in fear everyday and fear for their young being attacked will have detrimental effects.
If we could find it in ourselves to decrease our fishing of those foods preferred by Orca, we may observe a return to balance. Ie: those sharks may feel safe and not be swimming near shore and return to their favoured areas, those whales may start to sing and communicate again.
And possibly, Orca may cease bringing fish to us. I believe for example that tuna is a favorite of some Orca?
Are we leaving enough tuna for ocean lives, are we leaving enough tuna to reproduce.
Are we leaving more than enough krill? or is our attitude ‘the whales and others can find other food that we don’t like for ourselves, because that appears to me to be why the Orca are targeting whales, their babies and the livers of sharks.
Do the fisherman and the fishing industry care or don’t they? Does the wallet always have to reign supreme?
Fiona MacLeod (C)
