The numbers and behaviour of baleen whales in Icelandic waters have undergone dramatic changes in the last 30 years. The numbers of fin whale and humpback whale have grown significantly since systematic counts started in 1987. At the same time the blue whale population has moved further north. A whale expert with the Icelandic Maritime Research Institute believes the reason is global climate change.
Read more: Northern Iceland: Unusual colds and unusually many whales
Gísli Víkingsson introduces the results of his research in a paper he delivers at the Maritime Research Institute today. Since 1987, when the institute began systematic counts of whales in Icelandic waters, the major baleen whale populations, those of fin whale and humpback whale have grown in Icelandic waters. The population of minke whales similarly grew until 2000, but has dropped dramatically since then.
Read more: No fin whales will be caught this summer due to difficulties selling whale products in Japan
Gísli argues the most likely explanation are changes in the ocean and the size and behaviour of fish stocks the whales feed on. The drop in the minke whale population can for example be explained by the drop in the Raitt’s sand eel population shortly after 2000. Sand eels are among the most important sources of food for minke whales. In the absence of Raitt’s sand eels minke whales have increasingly been feeding on herring and cod.
The numbers and behaviour of baleen whales in Icelandic waters have undergone dramatic changes in the last 30 years. The numbers of fin whale and humpback whale have grown significantly since systematic counts started in 1987. At the same time the blue whale population has moved further north. A whale expert with the Icelandic Maritime Research Institute believes the reason is global climate change.
Read more: Northern Iceland: Unusual colds and unusually many whales
Gísli Víkingsson introduces the results of his research in a paper he delivers at the Maritime Research Institute today. Since 1987, when the institute began systematic counts of whales in Icelandic waters, the major baleen whale populations, those of fin whale and humpback whale have grown in Icelandic waters. The population of minke whales similarly grew until 2000, but has dropped dramatically since then.
Read more: No fin whales will be caught this summer due to difficulties selling whale products in Japan
Gísli argues the most likely explanation are changes in the ocean and the size and behaviour of fish stocks the whales feed on. The drop in the minke whale population can for example be explained by the drop in the Raitt’s sand eel population shortly after 2000. Sand eels are among the most important sources of food for minke whales. In the absence of Raitt’s sand eels minke whales have increasingly been feeding on herring and cod.
