The state of
Maine is known for being one of the most easternmost states in the
continental U.S. Its nickname "Vacationland" is attributed to the state's natural beauty, which is comprised of a heavily forested interior, rolling mountains, rocky coastline, and scenic waterways. Thus, it is a destination for hundreds of visitors. Among the activities tourists participate in Maine is
whale watching and one particular place that specializes in such activity is the coastal town of
Milbridge. One of its residents, Jim Parker, made business by ferrying tourists to certain areas in the
Gulf of Maine to spot whales for the past twenty years. But recently, whales have been difficult to find due to the warming of the gulf's waters forcing the animals' food supply to search for cooler temperatures. As a result, the whales have followed suit and Mr. Parker's business decreased by 20% compelling him to cut his whale-watching season short. Instead of leading whale watching tours, Mr. Parker has been leading nature tours to help make ends meet. His struggles reflect on how coastal communities, their
ecosystems and businesses that depend on them, are being forced to adapt to the time of increasing environmental changes brought by
climate change. It is a threat that is growing more critical, according to a
report released by the
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last month. The report has found that oceanic warming has nearly increased over the last 25 years or so. The changes have been especially evident in the Gulf of Maine, where
data from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch pointed out that waters are warming up faster than 99% of the global ocean. Researchers indicated that there are two reasons temperatures in the gulf are increasing. First, the increasing air temperatures and
greenhouse gas concentrations are causing
global oceanic warming which the
U.N says has brought about marine heat waves. The second is that sea ice melt in
Greenland is draining freshwater out of the
Arctic, which has disrupted normal ocean currents in the region.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute's chief scientific officer
Andrew Pershing stated that these changes in patterns are bringing warmer currents which disturbs the whales' prey such as
herring and
sand lance fish.
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| The warming of waters of the Gulf of Maine from 2005 to 2018 |
As the warming of the gulf's waters forces the whales' food supply to search for cooler temperatures, the whales change their migration patterns by progressively cruising waters which they
have not yet been adapted to protect them and as a result dying because of it. According to NOAA, about nine
North Atlantic right whales have
died in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence so far this year. Two years ago, twelve right whales died in Canada's waters, with further five deaths coming along the
East Coast of the U.S. Boat strikes and entanglement from fishing nets were the main causes of those deaths. In addition, the longer journey has also affected the whales' reproductive rates.
Sean Todd, a researcher from the
College of the Atlantic, stated that if a whale spends more energy searching for food than the energy it gets from food, then the animal does not meet its calorific needs. This is especially a serious problem for females who may fail to bear calves. Todd further added that changing in migration patterns could mean "lower reproductive rates" for the whales, which may result in their populations "down to
endangered status." In addition, the process of adapting to climate change can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years which Todd warns is practically not fast enough to keep up with the rapidly increasing effects of climate change. Pershing predicts that in the coming years, places stretching from
Norway, to
Alaska and the
Caribbean will also be susceptible to climactic oceanic shifts.
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| A North Atlantic right whale and calf |
I strongly believe it is highly crucial that the U.S and the rest of the world should take findings made by marine scientists and researchers regarding climate change into significant consideration. The effects of climate change in the form of oceanic warming has been and continues to significantly impact the marine life such as forcing animals that serve as food for whales and other larger animals in search of cooler temperatures. This, in turn, affects the migration patterns of whales and forces them to use more energy searching for food than the energy they get from food. This is especially problematic to female whales, who would be unable to bear calves without sufficient food consumption. NOAA estimates that there are roughly 400 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the world. Of those, less than 95 are breeding females. These figures simply indicate what climactic effects climate change has on the marine life and that trend continues to grow at a rapid rate. I strongly suggest that strong measurements to curb the greenhouse gas concentrations should be implemented on a global scale. There is absolutely no room for delay! Any delay in taking such necessary steps would further put the world's marine life into jeopardy and that would eventually lead to terrestrial life to suffer. It is high time that the global public needs to strongly act upon the issues of climate change and oceanic warming. The clock is ticking.
