There are countless ways to contribute to promoting a healthy and safe environment for our oceans, and what better time to start showing we care than the month of love? Our oceans face a litany of challenges including pollution, overharvesting, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, and marine debris. While it may be very difficult for one person to solve all of these problems, taking small steps towards more sustainable and less devastative practices can make a huge impact. 

Here are several ways you can help our oceans: 

• Limit driving a personal vehicle, since oil runoff from roads and streets is a contributor to nonpoint source pollution. Alternatives include carpooling to work or school, getting some fresh air and riding a bike instead, or using public transportation. 

• Be more mindful of water usage and the things that may contaminate the water we use, such as chemical fertilizers that go into our yards. 

• Buy food from sustainable farmers. 

• Wear reef-safe sunscreen at the beach. 

• Utilize clean energy for electricity. 

• Follow federal rules, regulations, and guidelines when it comes to fishing and boating. 

• Spread awareness of the problems our oceans and coastal environments face. 

• Get involved in community service by joining a beach cleanup program, or volunteer with an organization that participates in ocean conservation work. 

This month is a time to spread love, respect, and appreciation. It is no secret that our oceans are up against some tough threats, but by implementing some of these strategies into a daily routine, we can limit the damage done to the oceans we love! After all, the ocean provides us with so many ecological services that each and every one of us are stakeholders in its wellbeing. 

Whales are the largest animals in the world, both today and throughout Earth’s history. These gentle giants have been around for millennia, starting with the early Indohyus, a land mammal that lived around 47 million years ago. Over time, the Indohyus slowly evolved into an underwater mammal. Whale ancestors gradually evolved into two separate categories: mysticetes and odontocetes (baleen and toothed whales, respectively). Today we see a variety of species of whale, from the enormous blue whale to humpback whales, beluga whales, and more. 

Unfortunately, there have been many dangers to whale populations. Whaling has been present for thousands of years, beginning when early civilizations hunted them as a source for food and useful materials. The value of whale oil and baleen grew the popularity of whaling in the Middle Ages and Renaissance and into the 1700s. More modern and efficient technologies allowed whaling to lay waste to whale populations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Whales today face the threat of ship strikes, with around 20,000 whales being killed by strikes each year. This number doesn’t include the countless other whales that are injured or die because of fishing gear entanglements. Many more are often affected by noise pollution from vessels. Climate change has also warmed the oceans and caused many types of whales to be displaced from their usual migration routes. 

While whale populations have been devastated throughout human history, this is beginning to change as many government acts and laws have been passed around the world to ensure the safety of these magnificent creatures. In 1991, the UN passed a resolution internationally banning the use of driftnet fishing. Noise pollution usually comes from underwater military testing, hence the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 mandates that any military testing involving underwater noise production must submit a request under the MMPA before any tests can be conducted. Lastly, the US Coast Guard has implemented obligatory ship reporting systems. When a ship enters a whale specific habitat, it must report to a shore based station which will then provide information on how to best avoid a ship strike. 

Whales help us in many ways. They provide sources of income for many, with whale watching and other ocean tourism activities. Additionally, they inspire designs for more efficient innovations and creations, such as the humpback whale windmill design. Whale excrements also provide fertilizer for phytoplankton, which draw CO2 from the water and air and provide oxygen as a by-product. Lastly, they are vital to the marine ecosystem, which provides the nutrients and nourishment for life. 

As of 2022, there are an estimated 1.5 million whales around the world. However, many species are still endangered. Spreading awareness about the challenges facing the world’s largest animals can make a big splash in preventing further harm to the whales. This can range from doing presentations at local venues to writing a note to local government officers. Small actions can make a big difference, especially when it comes to these magnificent mammals.