Whale

• SEATTLE, June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quark Expeditions, the global leader in polar adventures, has produced a new interactive brochure for the just-announced Antarctic 2024/25 season.
• "Innovation is our DNA," said Wendy Batchelor, Vice President of Marketing for Quark Expeditions.
• The 30 departures (ranging from 7 to 23 days) in Quark Expeditions' Antarctic 2024/25 season include voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, the Falkland Islands and Patagonia.
• Click here to access the Antarctic 2024/25 interactive brochure.

• Off the coast of Spain and Portugal, killer whales have been biting boats.
• And the famous beluga whale nicknamed “Hvaldimir” has popped up again – this time in Sweden.
• When first spotted in Norway in 2019, wearing a suspicious harness, some suggested he could be a Russian spy.

Iberian killers targeting boats

In southwestern Europe, several killer whales from a critically endangered sub-population off the Iberian coast have been targeting vessels for the past two years. Mariners have filmed killer whales biting rudders, causing steering wheels to violently move from side to side. In extreme cases, the killer whales have broken rudders, created holes in boats and sunk at least three vessels, forcing sailors to seek maritime assistance.

A friendly ‘Russian spy’ in Swedish waters

• Hvaldimir the beluga whale came to fame in 2019 when he turned up in Norwegian waters wearing a harness labelled “Equipment St. Petersburg”.
• So Hvaldimir must have been taught to do that, just as you teach a dog to wear a collar.
• After four years off the coast of Norway, Hvaldimir travelled into Swedish waters.
• There might also be less fish for him to eat in comparison to Norwegian waters.

Understanding this behaviour

• One is that a matriarch killer whale known as White Gladis may have had a negative interaction with a boat and begun biting back at them, prompting others to copy her behaviour.
• When the rudder moves from side to side it makes a sound, much like a noisy dog toy or baby toy.
• Recent reports from people monitoring this behaviour have said the killer whales became disinterested and left soon after they broke off boat rudders.
• And what about Hvaldimir’s behaviour?

What’s the solution?

• The Atlantic Orca Working Group continues to investigate this “disruptive” whale activity.
• It’s a collaborative effort with the Iberian maritime community, marine mammal experts, various organisations and the public.
• Other “rescued” captive whales could also be placed there, with the potential for later release back to the wild.
• Hvaldimir will continue to require human assistance, regardless of whether he remains wild or moves into a captive environment.
• If he’s taken into human care, he will be removed from the general public but will require food from humans.

There’s no silver bullet

• Collaborative management involving the maritime community, scientists and the general public is key to protecting these marine mammals.
• No doubt lessons will be learnt from the management of both situations and possibly adapted to managing future interactions between wildlife and humans.

• If you’re looking for the most authentic and comprehensive shark-viewing experience ever, look no further than National Geographic’s SHARKFEST.
• Sink your teeth into summer with 72 hours of SHARKFEST programming, kicking off July 2 on National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN2.
• The go-to destinations for science-first shark content will take viewers up close and personal with the ocean’s apex predator.
• Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Nat Geo Kids’ YouTube channels will all have new shark-themed shorts beginning Monday, July 3.

• OTTAWA, ON, June 8, 2023 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Oceans Day:
  "Canada has the longest coastline in the world, and as we celebrate World Oceans Day today, we take time to honour these vast waters that surround us.
• "The theme for this year's World Oceans Day – Planet Ocean: tides are changing – reminds us that we have a shared responsibility to protect them for future generations.
• That is why the Government of Canada is taking action to protect our oceans, especially in the face of challenges like pollution and climate change.
• "On World Oceans Day, I invite Canadians from coast to coast to coast to reflect on the importance of our oceans, what they mean to our communities, climate, and country, and join with people all over the world to turn the tide toward a healthier marine environment across the planet."