Whales are some of the largest animals on the planet, but did you know that some species have been known to inhabit the Great Lakes of North America? A recent discovery of two dead whales in Lake Superior has caused a stir amongst biologists and animal lovers alike. In this article, we’ll look at how the whales got into Lake Superior and what the implications are for their survival in the Great Lakes.
Whales normally inhabit oceans, and although some species venture into rivers and other inland waters, rarely do they make it into the Great Lakes. The two whales that recently appeared in Lake Superior were identified as Beluga whales, a species usually found in the Arctic. It is believed they had travelled up the St. Lawrence Seaway into Lake Huron, navigating the series of smaller lakes and the Welland Canal until they ended up in Lake Superior.
Experts believe that the whales followed the sound of boats into the lakes, as boats often make loud sounds when navigating. This is known as the attraction effect, which explains that noise from boats can influence marine animals. It is possible that the whale’s quest for food drove them further into the lake, rather than them getting lost and trapped.
Beluga whales are also social animals, so it is possible that one whale led the other towards the unfamiliar territory. Unfortunately, this could have been their downfall as both whales were already dead when they were discovered. One of the whales had a boat propeller wound, suggesting that it had died by mechanical trauma. These two fatalities highlight how the presence of whales in human-inhabited areas can increase the risk to their health.
Claire Jarman, a maritime biologist and environmental advocate, has put forward the theory that the two whales may have travelled further than other scientists thought. “It is possible”, she says, “that the two Belugas had gone further than just the Great Lakes, and may have even gone as far as the Hudson Bay. Global warming has caused some shifts in ocean currents, and this could have easily led them up to this region.”
It is not known if the appearance of the two whales will bring about more sightings and the establishment of a whale population in the Great Lakes. Dr. Mike Wilcox, a marine biologist at the University of Michigan, believes that it is unlikely but not impossible. “Whales need saltwater to survive,” he says, “so although it is possible for them to travel up the seaway, it is unlikely that a viable population will be established here.”
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, the appearance of the two Beluga whales has been a cause for both alarm and celebration. Alarm because of their obvious vulnerability to dangers posed by humans, but also celebration due to their hardiness and resilience in navigating through the Great Lakes in search of food. We can only hope that no more whales make the same journey, and that suitable protections are put in place to ensure their safety.
Boat Noise in the Great Lakes
The theory that the whales had travelled through the Great Lakes due to the attraction effect of boat noises is a plausible one. Boat noise can have dramatic effects on marine life in the Great Lakes and other bodies of water. In addition to attracting whales, boat noise has been shown to have disruptive effects on the reproduction, health and behaviour of other aquatic life in the area.
Most boats produce sound frequencies that are easily audible to many aquatic species, and the sound waves can travel for miles through the water. This means that it is possible for small boats to affect the behaviour of aquatic wildlife in areas they don’t even inhabit. It is therefore essential that boaters adhere to noise regulations set by local authorities in order to protect wildlife from the disruption of boat noise.
Some states in the U.S. have introduced noise regulations for boats in order to reduce the impact of noise on wildlife. Boaters are now required to reduce the volume of their sound system and keep their engines running at a low RPM, so as not to disturb the surrounding wildlife in the waterways. Research has also shown that using quieter propellers and adjusting the shape of a boat’s hull can also have a significant impact on the amount of noise it produces.
In addition to noise regulations, environmental organisations are also advocating for stricter regulations against the dumping of any kind of waste or chemicals into the Great Lakes. This will reduce the chances of pollution harming the marine life, and will allow the Great Lakes to remain a safe and healthy environment for whales and other aquatic species.
The Impacts of Climate Change
The appearance of the two Beluga whales in the Great Lakes has raised questions about the impacts of climate change on global ecosystems. It is believed that global warming is causing the migration of some aquatic species to waters that are further away from their natural habitats. This is seen most prominently in the Arctic, where the ice is melting at an alarming rate and more whales are being observed further south.
The appearance of the two whales in Lake Superior has prompted some experts to suggest that global warming is also causing a shift in ocean currents. It is possible that the warmer temperatures are making it easier for some whales to travel further on their migrating paths, and this could be the reason why the two whales had made it to Lake Superior.
Climate change is having a devastating effect on many ecosystems around the world, and marine wildlife is particularly vulnerable. It is essential that global efforts to reduce pollution, conserve marine habitats and reduce the impacts of climate change are increased in order to ensure the survival of whales and other aquatic species.
Conservation Efforts
With worry that the two whales are an indication of more Belugas venturing into the Great Lakes, conservation efforts are ramping up to protect aquatic life in the region. Organizations such as the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie Environmental Council are campaigning for increased regulations on the amount of pollutants entering the lake, and are advocating for further research into the effects of climate change on wildlife migration.
The Canadian government has declared the St. Lawrence Seaway a protected area, with laws in place to ensure that natural habitats and wildlife are protected from boats and other pollutants entering the waters. This is done in part to protect the aquatic life from the attraction effect of boat noise, as well as the threat of pollution that can lead to health issues for marine species.
In the U.S., the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has introduced the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which provides protections for dolphins, whales and other aquatic life. This is done through the implementation of conservation programs and regulations, such as reducing the amount of fishing nets in certain areas and encouraging the use of quieter boat engines.
These conservation efforts are essential in order to ensure the survival of aquatic species in the Great Lakes and beyond. With increasing awareness of the damage caused by human activity, we can look to the future with hope that more initiatives will be put in place to protect our waterways.
The Conservation Debate
The debate over how best to protect aquatic life in the Great Lakes is ongoing, with some experts believing that further regulations need to be introduced in order to guarantee the safety of marine life. Others agree that more needs to be done, but argue that increased regulations may be too costly for local businesses and boaters, who rely heavily on the waters for their livelihood.
The debate over conservation mostly centres around the enforcement of existing regulations, with many calling for any existing laws to be better enforced. The recent discover of two dead whales in the lake has spurred some experts to believe that existing laws need to be stricter and more comprehensive in order to ensure the safe navigation of whales through the region.
On the other hand, some environmentalists believe that the answer lies in education and not stricter regulations. They argue that teaching boaters and fishermen the importance of keeping noise levels down and preserving aquatic life will lead to more sustainable practices in the Great Lakes and beyond.
Whichever side you fall on in the conservation debate, most would agree that the recent discovery of two dead whales in Lake Superior has highlighted the urgent need for better protection of aquatic life in the Great Lakes. This can only be achieved with a combined effort from both the public and private sectors, and only then can we hope to preserve the natural beauty of the Great Lakes and ensure the survival of its inhabitants.
