Ep: 088 - Beyond the Surface: Unveiling the Intricacies of Whale Mortality in Offshore Wind Projects

ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING

On this episode of Environmentally Speaking, our hosts Marisa and Clarice dive into the controversial topic of whale deaths and their possible connection to offshore wind activity. Our guest, Robert Rocha, sheds light on the complexities surrounding these deaths and the ongoing debates. Robert starts by acknowledging that while there have been reported deaths, there is limited information and published results available. He argues that it is challenging to determine the exact cause of these deaths and believes that blaming turbine sightings alone is too simplistic. Interestingly, he suggests that those advocating for a halt and reexamination of the situation may be funded by the petroleum industry, which adds an ironic twist to the discussion. Switching gears, Robert takes us on a fascinating tangent about an exhibition featuring three large skeletons, including a 66-foot blue whale, a 49-foot North Atlantic white whale, and a 37-foot humpback whale. These skeletons raise many questions from visitors, which are handled by the front desk, coworkers, and volunteers. Robert explains that the term "whale" refers to both the baleen and the animals themselves, highlighting the importance of understanding the context. Our guest delves into the history of whale populations and human impact. He shares that in the 18th century, there was a significant decline in North Pacific right whales due to human hunting. Interestingly, he mentions that smaller animals don't require a large throat to consume food, leading to an intriguing exploration of different whale species and their feeding habits. Robert also touches upon the misconceptions surrounding sperm whales and their diet. Contrary to popular belief, they don't exclusively eat giant squid but consume various species of squid. Drawing from his observation and learning on the job, he enlightens us about the ocean's vast array of 300 different squid species. To wrap up, our guest encourages listeners to visit the Whaling Museum to gain a deeper understanding of whales and the history of whaling. He shares that visitors are usually pleasantly surprised, but acknowledges that some may have negative emotional reactions upon viewing the skeletons. It's important to note that these skeletons did not come from the whaling industry directly, but from ship strikes in 1998 and 2004. Although the topic of unusual mortality events among whales remains a mystery, Robert emphasizes the significance of considering the timeline and staying open to different theories. Marisa and Clarice engage him in a thought-provoking conversation, exploring concepts like Yankee boats and the historical context of industrial whaling in the 19th century. Robert shares insights from his co-authored research paper on the number of whales killed during that era, distinguishing between Yankee whaling and industrial whaling practices. (Here is a link to Bob's article:

https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-content/MFR/mfr764/mfr7643.pdf)

Join us on this thought-provoking episode of Environmentally Speaking as we explore the mysteries of whale deaths, the implications of offshore wind projects, and the fascinating history of whaling.

Extra:

Documentary the witness is a whale:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mwfg