Blue Whale
Should the Blue Whale be Saved?
The following opinions are based on information attained over multipile weeks of deep research of the blue whale. Our opinions reflect our individual point of view and were not censored in any way by Sir Francis Drake High School or our teachers.
The blue whale is the largest animal to ever exist on the planet earth (Blue Whale, 2015). Living in every part of the ocean, this whale is 100 feet long and weighs up to 200 tons (Blue Whale, 2015). Although the blue whale is at the top of the food chain, this has not stopped humans from interfering with this species. During the first half of the 20th century, whaling killed over 360,000 blue whales (WWF Global, 2015). It is both horrifying and confusing as to how this massive slaughtering could ever occur. Realizing this savagery, whaling was outlawed by the United Nations and the blue whale has existed on the endangered species list ever since 1970 (Blue Whale, 2015). The blue whale is a species that has and will continue to affect us all, and it needs to be saved.
Gracie's Opinion
Many people do not understand how connected the world actually is. Each living organism is a part of a food web, which cycles nutrients through our ecosystems while also maintaining the lives of every species. When we disrupt this process, we are harming ourselves. The blue whale serves an important role in the oceanic ecosystem. This whale sits atop of the food chain, while stabilizing aquatic food and organism reproduction (Why Are Whales Important?, 2015). Furthermore, it consumes around 40 million krill each day (WWF Global, 2015). By doing this, the blue whale ensures proper food distribution and a balanced food chain on every trophic level (Why Are Whales Important?, 2015). If the blue whale ceases to exist, our ecosystem will suffer greatly. The effects that their disappearance could have on our earth are endless.
While also serving an important role in our environment, the blue whale helps us on an economic and social level. Whale-watching has become a very popular activity, generating $2 billion in 2013 alone (Whale-Watching: A Booming Business, 2013). Some National Marine Sanctuary programs have attracted around 1.2 million people each year, visiting solely for the purpose of watching blue whales and other cetacean species (The Economic Contributions of Whale-watching to Regional Economies, 2015). The whale-watching industry is estimated to add more than $400 million and 5,700 jobs to our global economy, an increase that no one would mind seeing (Whale-Watching: A Booming Business, 2013).
I cannot imagine a world without the blue whale. With the blue whale contributing so much to the world around us, it seems unfair to let this innocent species disappear from our earth because of selfish human actions. We must protect the blue whale, and all other innocent animals who are being threatened. These organisms have a right to live. They have an impact on the world around us. Saving the blue whale would not only save the ocean ecosystem, but also benefit us and our economy. I believe that the blue whale is a species that needs to be saved, and you should too.
Liam's Opinion
The Blue Whale, with the heart the size of a VW Bug is one of the most compassionate and loving animals ever to roam the seas (Blue Whale, 2015, National Geographic). The Blue Whale stays with its calves for over 6 months and nurtures them and teaches the ins and outs of life within biggest habitat on earth; the oceans (Randall, R, 2015) The Blue Whale isn’t just a loving and nurturing parent, but there are also an integral species in helping to cycle nutrients throughout their habitats, which, in turn stimulates the food chain to keep the cycle of life spinning smoothly. Overall, the importance of the Blue Whale to its ecosystems and to the human race cannot go unnoticed or unappreciated, and for this reason we must do everything in our power preserve the biggest animal on earth (Blue Whale, 2015, World Wildlife Foundation).
As I mentioned, the Blue Whales play an extremely important role in cycling and recycling the nutrients of the oceans. Because of their massive size and extended migrations the blue whales carry thousands of pounds of nutrients and other valuable foods to parts of the ocean that would not get them otherwise. For example, when the Whales migrate from the frigid waters of the arctic down to the warm breeding grounds off the coast of Baja, they release excrement that is rich with rare and extremely important nutrients. The whales also leave their rich placenta for waiting scavengers whenever they have a calf. Without the Blue Whales, many species would dieback because of the lack of the necessary nutrients to survive (Howard, B, July 11, 2014). This demonstrates how invaluable these graceful behemoths to their ecosystems. Without the Blue Whale acting as a conveyor belt of nutrients through our vast oceans, countless species would be lost which could have an unknown and profound effect on our oceans as a whole. The Blue Whale plays a part in its ecosystem which no other animal could fill, and that's why it has to be at the top of the list when saving marine mammals (Howard, B, July 11, 2014).
However, this personable and curious animal doesn't just have an impact on its habitat within the ocean, it affects everyone on earth. The Rise of the Whale watching industry along the coasts of almost every continent on earth has spurred immeasurable economic growth among coastal communities, somewhere over $2 billion in 2013 (Whale Watching a Booming Business, 2013). This unprecedented amount of money spent whale watching has brought up the question, is killing whales still more profitable than letting them roam free? And luckily, it is not (Mulvaney, 2013). The amount of money made off killing whales for their meat is miniscule compared to the amount that has been made and is predicted to be made because thousands of healthy Blue Whales entertaining giddy whale watchers across the globe. The question isn't whether we should protect the Blue Whales, it's why haven’t we already?
Marya's Opinion
With their hearts weighing as much as a car and their tongues as much as an elephant, the enormous and stunning Blue Whale is the largest creature ever to have lived on earth (Blue Whale, 2015, National Geographic). This magnificent creature controls the ocean, growing up to 100 feet long and weighing up to 200 tons. As a key factor to the food chain and nutrient cycling throughout the seas, I believe Blue Whale deserves to be protected and recognized by the world as the greatest and most astonishing creature to swim the oceans.
The astounding Blue Whale should be protected due to its extremely important
role in the ecosystem. By maintaining a stable food chain and feeding other marine
animals, this astonishing animal helps to provide a cleaner atmosphere, contributing to
the overall health of the marine environment (Why Are Whales Important?, 2015). This
remarkable creature makes sure specific species don’t over populate the vast ocean,
stabilizing the aquatic ecosystem (Blue Whale, 2015, World Wildlife Foundation). If the
Blue Whale were to go extinct and not be protected, it would disrupt the entire food chain
causing other species to suddenly boom. This great mammal plays an essential role in
sustaining the balance of the ecosystem and makes sure certain species do not overpopulate
and destroy organisms below them in the food chain (Why Are Whales Important?, 2015).
In addition to stabilizing the food chain the Blue Whale contributes to nutrient cycling. As a great surprise the Blue Whales poop actually plays a vital role in ecosystems. Their poop makes organic carbon easier to get to for smaller organisms. The carcass of this great creature also provides food for hundreds of organisms. As the carcass falls to the vast sea floor organisms race to this food source, as it provides them with plentiful resources (Mynott, 2013).
Another key factor to the protection of this this animal is the large economical purpose
it serves. The outstanding site of a Blue Whale breaching out of the water has made whale
watching a huge international spectator activity and tourism booster (Why Are Whales
Important?, 2015). With the hope to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat billions
of dollars have been spent and this money has led to great increases in economic growth for
multiple countries around the world (Why Are Whales Important?, 2015). The absence of
this breathtaking animal would have a major impact on the economies that are dependent on
this animal’s presence for tourism.
The protection of this stunning creature is vital as it plays a key role in our ecosystem and provides a profitable form of tourism for economies. Imagining a world without the presence of this profound creature is heartbreaking. For the many roles the Blue Whale serves in the ecosystem and for economies his miraculous living thing deserves to be protected and acknowledged by the whole world. If this critical species were to go extinct the largest animal in the world would be lost.
