Did you know the Blue Whale has the largest heart of any wildlife species in the world?

The heart of a blue whale weighs approximately 180 kg, which is 640 times the weight of a human heart! This humungous heart could beat for 80-90 years if the majestic marine mammal is able to coast through its full lifespan. But sadly, the situation facing these creatures is heartbreaking: pollution, climate change, vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear have led both Atlantic and Pacific populations to be listed as endangered in Canada. How can we tackle these problems?

Follow Your Heart

Every day, a Blue Whale can consume a whopping 10 million microplastic pieces! These tiny particles are not directly ingested by the whales. It’s worse. They are already embedded in the food they eat, little shrimp-like crustaceans called Krill. To reduce microplastic pollution, humans must reduce the amount of plastic waste they create. You can do your part by following the reduce, reuse, refuse and recycle strategy. Reuse any plastic containers you already have instead of buying more. Let others know that you do not need or want extra plastic consumer items, you prefer to limit your impact on the environment to keep animals like Blue Whales safe and sound. Recycle as much as possible, including other plastic litter you find on your winter walks.

Listen to Your Heart

Noise pollution is a major threat to the survival of Blue Whales. Blue Whale calls can sound like beautiful songs and can be detected hundreds of kilometers away. They produce these calls to communicate information about food and socialize with other whales, even find mates. The increase of activity causing underwater noise in the shipping, industrial and military sectors, is disturbing the Blue Whale environment. When loud noises are constantly around you, it creates a stressful habitat and Blue Whale can struggle to feed, navigate and stay in groups. You can help by shopping locally to reduce the need for marine transport. Tell your government representatives we need to live in harmony with marine species, and ensure our activities do not have deadly consequences. Industry could develop noise cancelling systems to reduce noise pollution in the ocean.

Heart to Heart

Whether or not you live along a shoreline, any chemicals you use can end up in the water supply. By reducing your use of pesticides, oils and other toxins and safely disposing of any chemicals that may be in your household, like leftover paints and stains, you are helping Blue Whales and other marine species. Climate change also impacts the ocean, like warming waters and altering ocean currents. Atlantic Blue Whales can be found from Quebec to Newfoundland, while Pacific Blue Whale are occasionally spotted on the Canadian west coast. Wouldn’t it be great if we saw more whales and less pollution? Anything you can do to reduce your carbon footprint can also help the whales. This might include disposing correctly of toxic products, reducing your energy consumption, considering public transit or eating local produce instead of imported specialty items.

In a Heartbeat

Marine traffic can have tragic impacts on marine wildlife. Risk assessments are underway in areas like the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where Blue Whales can be found year-round. The goal is to provide scientific evidence of where and when risk is high so that protection measures can be created and adapted. Research has shown that even small vessels can cause serious injuries to large whales. Collaborative approaches are required so that boats of all sizes avoid collisions with these gentle giants, who always need to come back to the surface to catch a breath. You can help by reporting sightings of whales and by supporting regulations designed to keep whales safe. If you own a boat, be sure to check your local regulations regarding the distance to be maintained from whales on the water.

Change of Heart

Entanglement in rope is harmful to whales and can cause serious health problem, even if the whale gets freed. The commercial fishing industry is an important part of Canada’s economy and culture, with techniques passed down through the generations. But harvesters in Atlantic Canada and the West Coast are beginning to employ new fishing technologies to reduce the amount of rope in the water. This on-demand fishing gear eliminates persistent ropes while still allowing harvesters to fish and retrieve their catch. By piloting this new technology, harvesters are demonstrating that a love for the fishing industry and love for marine life can co-exist. We just need to keep working on it, like any great relationship, and keep the lines of communication open. You can help by letting fish harvesters know you value and support their efforts to change decades old fishing techniques.

To learn more, visit HelptheWhales.ca.