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speechlesstx · Jul 13, 2007, 08:33 AM

Warming causing gray whales to lose weight, say scientists

Scientists on the US Pacific coast are increasingly observing emaciated gray whales in what they fear is a sign that global warming is wreaking havoc in the whales' Bering Sea summer feeding grounds.

The scientists fear that the same phenomenon is cutting back reproduction in the Pacific whale population to the point it could be facing a new crisis, after recovering in the mid-1990s and graduating from the endangered species list.

"The gray whales are migrating later, not going as far north, and are producing fewer calves," Steven Swartz, head researcher with the National Marine Fisheries Service told AFP.

Swartz, who with his team meticulously photograph and identify the migrating whales, estimates that at least ten percent of the population is seriously skinny.

"Instead of looking plump coming off the summer months, they have noticeable depressions behind the head, with scapulas visible through the skin, and concave sections above the tail," he added. "This is enough to cause alarm."

Swartz has studied the pacific whale population since 1977 and last saw a major whale die-off in 1999 when an El Nino warming cycle left traditional northern feeding grounds barren and claimed one third of the population.

I tried but could not find a photo of one of these skinny whales. But I have an idea, instead of a "fat tax" why not promote global warming as a way to combat obesity?

rankrank55 · Jul 13, 2007, 08:40 AM

Wow I'm glad you brought this to our attention, I had no clue it was going on. This information disturbs me partially because I've always been fascinated with the gray whale and because global warming is a reality to me. While this may be causing the gray whales to sadly lose extra pounds, I don't think global warming is going to help the human folk with that, lol. I'm part of the Green Peace origination and haven't even heard about this one... maybe it slipped by me.

Capuchin · Jul 13, 2007, 08:40 AM

I know your joke was intended in good humor, but I find the possibility of suffering of species due to our own greed and ignorance to be no laughing matter.

tomder55 · Jul 13, 2007, 08:57 AM

Maybe there are too many of them ?

Gray whale migration reaches Arctic — Far North Science

I wonder how much of the whale's problems is because they are well over the number marine biologists say is the optimal number whales.

One suggestion, from Dr Justin Cooke, who works with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) on cetacean issues, is that the greys have just become too plentiful.

"No whale population can expand indefinitely," he said, "and these whales seem to have exceeded their historical level so it would be surprising if they continued increasing - they're due for a slump.

Have the eastern greys become too abundant for their own good?
"When whale numbers were lower there was enough to go round in poor years, but now numbers are higher and so there's only enough to go round in good years."

William Megill acknowledges that the population could have become unsustainably high.

"Around the year 2000, colleagues looked for mysids (tiny crustaceans) in kelp beds off the Canadian coast, and they found lots of them," he said.

"The last two years, we've stuck cameras down there and seen nothing.

"It could just be the whales ate them all, and what we're seeing is the same thing that happens to wolf and lynx populations when they eat too much of their prey."

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Pacific whale decline 'a mystery'

Presently, equatorial Pacific Ocean temperatures are below-average in the eastern Pacific .

Climate Prediction Center - Atlantic Hurricane Outlook

ETWolverine · Jul 13, 2007, 09:15 AM

Ummmm... perhaps it is time for a biology lesson.

What is the reason that whales need fat in the first place?

The answer is that the fat serves as an insulator against the frigid temperatures of the waters in which they swim.

So if global warming is indeed taking place, and water temperatures are rising, then it makes sense that the whales would divest themselves of the extra fat they no longe need. This would seem to be a good thing... nature taking care of the gray whales and protecting them from temperature change. The whales aren't suffering, they are simply going through their normal biological processes.

There's nothing for people to worry about here. The whales aren't suffering.

Besides, haven't you guys seen Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home? If the whales die out, all we have to do is go back in time and bring back a mated pair to repopulate the species. So what are you all worried about? :cool:

Elliot

speechlesstx · Jul 13, 2007, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Capuchin

I know your joke was intended in good humor, but I find the possibility of suffering of species due to our own greed and ignorance to be no laughing matter.

Thanks Capuchin, point taken. Now consider mine.

The left labels people like me in all manner of insulting ways when they know nothing about me. I love nature, I love to garden, I love whales, I love animals period. I mean hey, if I didn't, why would my signature be "I miss my dog"? I've planted something like 17 low maintenance, low water usage trees at my home in the past 8 or 9 years, plus another couple dozen shrubs. I drive a 25 year old Toyota pickup that gets around 30 MPG on the road, and a Corolla that gets around 35 MPG. Prior to the Corolla we drove a Mazda Protégé for 11 years that got 45 MPG on the road. I recycle my newspapers and use CF bulbs and programmable thermostats.

Nobody desires to destroy the earth and the life sustained here, yet as I pointed out earlier this week, this isn't necessarily about that - it's an effort to "force global warming onto the international political stage." I resent that, and I resent every effort of the left to portray conservatives - especially Christian conservatives - as wanting to force our morality on everyone while they themselves are forcing their agenda down our throats.

It's especially hypocritical coming from activists that that don't practice what they preach on the issue or have resorted to spiking trees, destroying research labs, ramming boats, advocating the killing of perfectly healthy bears and nutjobs that get excited over the thought of a 90 percent reduction of the human population.

“Every one of you who gets to survive has to bury nine,” Eric Pianka cautioned students and guests at St. Edward’s University

Pardon me "Professor" Pianka, but I still put people - and the truth - ahead of the gray whale. We need a lot more perspective, reason and rationality on the subject of climate change.

NeedKarma · Jul 13, 2007, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by speechlesstx

The left labels people like me in all manner of insulting ways when they know nothing about me.

Then why don't you offer the same courtesy to others. Here you call people who you suspect are on the left moonbat lunatics.

speechlesstx · Jul 13, 2007, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by tomder55

maybe there are too many of them ?

You know tom, their memories are short. That was a whole two months ago they said that. But that's better than the memory of Texas media, within a span of two days, it went from the state couldn't process physician license applications fast enough because so many doctors are coming back - to not having enough doctors.

speechlesstx · Jul 13, 2007, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by ETWolverine

Besides, haven't you guys seen Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home? If the whales die out, all we have to do is go back in time and bring back a mated pair to repopulate the species. So what are you all worried about?

Now there's some real thinking. :)

speechlesstx · Jul 13, 2007, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Then why don't you offer the same courtesy to others. Here you call people who you suspect are on the left moonbat lunatics.

Just going by your own standards. It does work both ways you know. :D

NeedKarma · Jul 13, 2007, 10:01 AM

Touché. But I wasn't commenting on how people call me names. The fundies seem to be the only ones doing that which is ironic when you think of it. :)

speechlesstx · Jul 13, 2007, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Touché. But I wasn't commenting on how people call me names. The fundies seem to be the only ones doing that which is ironic when you think of it. :)

Well now, I think my Michael Moore quotes disprove that theory. And besides, I was referring to the "lunacy" in my comment, not the moonbat :D