Blue whales are endangered due to whaling which is the hunting and killing of whales. Whales are extremely fast and extremely heavy. They are the heaviest animal on the planet. Whalers have come up with new ways to catch and kill whales illegally. Thousands of whales are caught each year.
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Why Are Whales Hunted
Whales are hunted for the oil to use for candles, soap, margarine, and lamps. They used other parts for meat and fertilizer. Whale oil, blubber, and cartilage are also used in pharmaceuticals and health supplements.
The International Whaling Commission made it illegal to hunt blue whales in 1966 because of the whales being endangered but that doesn’t stop illegal poaching of whales.
There are still several countries who do not have a ban on commercial whaling and they are:
- Japan
- Norway
- Iceland
All three of these countries have their reasoning for not banning the killing of whales but are they good reasons?
How Many Blue Whales Are Left In The World
There are about 25,000 blue whales left in the world and they continue to be on the endangered species list under the Endangered Species Act. About 2,000 whales live off the coast of California and 10,000 to 25,000 everywhere else.
Are Blue Whales Going Extinct
Blue whales could make a comeback and their population recovers about 7% each year since the ban on whaling in 1966.
Other Threats to Blue Whales
Whaling is illegal today, but blue whales face many other threats and they are:
Entanglement – Whales are often caught in fishing line.
Food Shortage – There is considerably less amount of food for whales.
Climate Change – Climate changes cause many issues for whales.
Our way of life is killing our oceans causing coral reefs to die off, wild ocean animals to die of and so much more.
Blue Whale Population 2020
There are between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales left in the world’s oceans today. You can help this number increase by donating a small amount to the Ocean Conservancy.
Conclusion
Whales are important to this world. They are killed even illegally and still some countries have not banned the killing of whales but they really should. What are your thoughts on whaling and the number of whales left in the world?
