Every July 23rd, World Whale and Dolphin Day is commemorated , a date that highlights the importance of protecting these marine mammals and the ecosystems on which they depend. This day originated from the decision by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1982 to approve a moratorium on commercial whaling, a measure that came into effect in 1986 and marked a turning point in the conservation of these species.
However, despite the progress, the current situation of cetaceans remains worrying. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), one in four species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises is threatened with extinction , and 20% of them saw their conservation status worsen between 2008 and 2021. Only three species managed to improve their status during that period.
A historic moratorium that saved many whales
Commercial whaling brought whales to the brink of extinction. It is estimated that nearly three million whales were caught before the international community took action. Organizations like Greenpeace were instrumental in securing the IWC moratorium, which allowed iconic species like the humpback whale to return from the brink of extinction and re-establish themselves along several of their historical migration routes. However, countries like Japan, Iceland, and Norway continued whaling under questionable scientific programs.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the southern right whale is an example of recovery: from around 450 individuals in the 1950s, its population has grown to thousands today, thanks to protection in areas such as the Valdés Peninsula in Argentina. However, new threats such as seismic surveys and hydrocarbon exploitation endanger its hearing system and can cause disorientation and strandings.
Current threats: beyond hunting
Today, the dangers are numerous. Incidental capture in industrial fishing nets, known as bycatch, causes the death of approximately 300.000 whales and dolphins annually worldwide, highlighting the serious impact of driftnets on marine life. Added to this are noise pollution generated by seismic surveys and maritime traffic, collisions with vessels, the ingestion of microplastics and plastic debris, and the effects of climate change on temperature and food availability.
The IUCN warns that 11% of the assessed species lack sufficient data to determine their true status, meaning the number of threatened cetaceans could be even higher. In Latin America, species like Lahille's dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus) number fewer than 300 individuals in Argentine waters, and the Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is particularly vulnerable to fishing nets.
Critically endangered species
Five species are Critically Endangered, the most serious category before extinction. These include the vaquita porpoise in the Gulf of California , of which fewer than 10 individuals remain, and the North Atlantic right whale, with fewer than 250 individuals. Also in this situation are the Yangtze River dolphin, possibly extinct in the wild, Rice's whale, and the Atlantic humpback dolphin.
Freshwater species are the most vulnerable: 100% of cetaceans that live in rivers are threatened. In South America, the Amazon river dolphin and the tucuxi are listed as “Endangered” due to deforestation and pollution of river systems.
The key role of whales in the planet's balance
Beyond their ecological value, whales are allies in the fight against climate change. Throughout their lives, a single whale can capture up to 33 tons of CO₂, which, upon their death, settles on the seabed, sometimes forming a natural whale graveyard . Furthermore, their feeding migratory routes promote the growth of phytoplankton, responsible for producing 50% of the atmosphere's oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. Protecting whales and dolphins is not only a matter of conservation, but also of planetary health. The anniversary of July 23rd reminds us that caring for the oceans is caring for life on Earth, and that every action counts in reducing pollution, supporting sustainable fishing, and preserving the biological corridors these animals travel each year.
