Whales (Secondary)
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Whales are under threat from many different issues, hindering their recovery after the end of wide scale commercial whaling.
Instructions
This lesson is about whale species, some of their characteristics, what is threatening whales and what we can do to help protect them.
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Instructions
Worksheets
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation with a mission to protect the ocean and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the ocean, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. Whales are one species that Sea Shepherd is fighting to protect.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
This lesson is about whale species, some of their characteristics, what is threatening whales and what we can do to help protect them.
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
Slide 4 - Video
Empty ocean by 2050
Scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting the ocean and marine wildlife.
Show this video (2.53min), which explains how important all species are to our planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcA31VRlRU
Discuss the video with the class and what it means.
Scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting the ocean and marine wildlife.
Show this video (2.53min), which explains how important all species are to our planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcA31VRlRU
Discuss the video with the class and what it means.
Slide 5 - Slide
Whales
Whales have been around on this planet for 50 million years. Once, the ocean was home to millions of them.
Today their numbers are significantly reduced.
Many whale species, such as blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales have been hunted to near extinction by whalers.
Whales have been around on this planet for 50 million years. Once, the ocean was home to millions of them.
Today their numbers are significantly reduced.
Many whale species, such as blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales have been hunted to near extinction by whalers.
Why are whales important to the
future of our ocean?
Slide 6 - Open question
Why are whales important?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
‘Who knows why whales are important to the future of our ocean?’
Whales play an important part in the ecosystem; one of those roles is in supporting our air supply:
Phytoplankton, are tiny little beings that live in the ocean, they are so small you can’t see them with the naked eye, but they are very important to our air supply. They draw carbon from the air. All the air we breathe out, or the fossil fuels we burn, like coal to make electricity, or petrol in our cars, all creates carbon. Without something to take that out of the air it would become toxic and the air would poison us.
Phytoplankton are dependent on nutrients and nitrogen in the ocean which they receive from things like whale poo. Whales need phytoplankton as food, as do other creatures like krill, which are another food source for whales. So we need whales in order to have the phytoplankton populations grow and helping to reduce the carbon in the air. It has been proven that the reduction in the number of whales in Antarctica has had a negative impact on phytoplankton and the level of carbon in the atmosphere.
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
‘Who knows why whales are important to the future of our ocean?’
Whales play an important part in the ecosystem; one of those roles is in supporting our air supply:
Phytoplankton, are tiny little beings that live in the ocean, they are so small you can’t see them with the naked eye, but they are very important to our air supply. They draw carbon from the air. All the air we breathe out, or the fossil fuels we burn, like coal to make electricity, or petrol in our cars, all creates carbon. Without something to take that out of the air it would become toxic and the air would poison us.
Phytoplankton are dependent on nutrients and nitrogen in the ocean which they receive from things like whale poo. Whales need phytoplankton as food, as do other creatures like krill, which are another food source for whales. So we need whales in order to have the phytoplankton populations grow and helping to reduce the carbon in the air. It has been proven that the reduction in the number of whales in Antarctica has had a negative impact on phytoplankton and the level of carbon in the atmosphere.
What are the two categories that all
whale species fall under?
Slide 7 - Open question
Categories of whales
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
‘What are the two categories that all whale species fall under?”
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
‘What are the two categories that all whale species fall under?”
- Toothed and Baleen Whales.
What is the key characteristic of a baleen whale?
Slide 8 - Open question
Baleen whales
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What is the key characteristic of a baleen whale?”
Baleen means they feed by sifting plankton, krill or fish, through a baleen plate, which is a fibrous brush like plate used to separate their food from the water. It’s like having a big sieve to catch food in.
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What is the key characteristic of a baleen whale?”
Baleen means they feed by sifting plankton, krill or fish, through a baleen plate, which is a fibrous brush like plate used to separate their food from the water. It’s like having a big sieve to catch food in.
What is the baleen made from and what do you have that is made from this material?
Slide 9 - Open question
What is the baleen made from?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What is the baleen made from and what do you have that is made from this material?”
The baleen plate is made out of keratin. Keratin is the same material your fingernails or hair are made out of.
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What is the baleen made from and what do you have that is made from this material?”
The baleen plate is made out of keratin. Keratin is the same material your fingernails or hair are made out of.
Which whale species can live the longest?
Bonus - why can they live so long?
Slide 10 - Open question
Longest living whale
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Which whale species can live the longest?”
Bowhead whale – known to live up to 200 years. They live in the Artic and subarctic waters. To survive in this environment they have thicker blubber layers and slower metabolism, which helps them cope with the colder waters. It is believed this is what helps them live longer.
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Which whale species can live the longest?”
Bowhead whale – known to live up to 200 years. They live in the Artic and subarctic waters. To survive in this environment they have thicker blubber layers and slower metabolism, which helps them cope with the colder waters. It is believed this is what helps them live longer.
Which is the largest whale species?
Slide 11 - Open question
Largest whale
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Which is the largest whale species?”
The largest blue whale was over 33m (108 feet).
Ask students if they think there is any mammal that is larger than the Blue whale?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Which is the largest whale species?”
The largest blue whale was over 33m (108 feet).
Ask students if they think there is any mammal that is larger than the Blue whale?
Slide 12 - Slide
Whale species
Show the image that shows comparative size of some whale species.
Show the image that shows comparative size of some whale species.
What key features identify
whales as being mammals
rather than being fish?
whales as being mammals
rather than being fish?
Slide 13 - Mind map
Key features
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What key features identify whales as being mammals rather than fish?”
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What key features identify whales as being mammals rather than fish?”
- Breathe air through blow holes (fish through gills).
- Tail moves up and down (fish side to side).
- Warm blooded (fish are cold blooded).
- Young drink milk.
- Give birth to young (fish lay eggs).
- Smooth skin (fish have scales).
- Heart has 4 chambers (fish have 2).
How do whales communicate and
navigate their way?
Slide 14 - Open question
How do whales navigate?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“How do whales communicate and navigate their way?”
Toothed whales use echolocation. This means they emit sounds out into the environment and listen to the echoes of those sounds that return from the objects around them. They use these echoes for hunting and finding their way.
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“How do whales communicate and navigate their way?”
Toothed whales use echolocation. This means they emit sounds out into the environment and listen to the echoes of those sounds that return from the objects around them. They use these echoes for hunting and finding their way.
Slide 15 - Video
Whale song
Whales also have their own songs, used to communicate with other whales,
Show this video (1.14min), which shows a humpback whale singing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am5fOjC4Ac0
Whales also have their own songs, used to communicate with other whales,
Show this video (1.14min), which shows a humpback whale singing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am5fOjC4Ac0
What do you think could impact on whales being able to communicate and navigate?
Slide 16 - Open question
What could impact whale navigation?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What do you think could impact on whales being able to communicate and navigate?”
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What do you think could impact on whales being able to communicate and navigate?”
Slide 17 - Slide
Ships sonar
Because whales use echolocation, which is like the sonar that we use on ships, it means that the sonar on some ships can interfere with a whale’s sonar. This can result in whales being unable to hunt or find their way. It is also believed to be the reason whales sometimes beach themselves.
Noise pollution from shipping.
Another issue is noise pollution – sound travels 4 times faster under water and it travels further, so imagine the noise coming from a port or shipping lane. Imagine living in a constantly noisy environment and how stressful it might be when you are exposed to unfamiliar sounds or noises.
All this noise disturbs the ability of whales to communicate with each other over distances.
Because whales use echolocation, which is like the sonar that we use on ships, it means that the sonar on some ships can interfere with a whale’s sonar. This can result in whales being unable to hunt or find their way. It is also believed to be the reason whales sometimes beach themselves.
Noise pollution from shipping.
Another issue is noise pollution – sound travels 4 times faster under water and it travels further, so imagine the noise coming from a port or shipping lane. Imagine living in a constantly noisy environment and how stressful it might be when you are exposed to unfamiliar sounds or noises.
All this noise disturbs the ability of whales to communicate with each other over distances.
What other human activities
do you think are having a
negative impact on whales?
do you think are having a
negative impact on whales?
Slide 18 - Mind map
Human impacts on whales
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What other human activities do you think are having a negative impact on whales?”
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What other human activities do you think are having a negative impact on whales?”
Slide 19 - Slide
Whaling
The obvious issue impacting on whales is whaling.
While commercial whaling has been banned since 1986 and most countries stopped whaling prior to the ban, their numbers have yet to recover.
Despite the ban there are 3 countries that continue to whale commercially – Japan, Norway and Iceland.
Refer to the Lesson – Whaling for more detail on this topic.
The obvious issue impacting on whales is whaling.
While commercial whaling has been banned since 1986 and most countries stopped whaling prior to the ban, their numbers have yet to recover.
Despite the ban there are 3 countries that continue to whale commercially – Japan, Norway and Iceland.
Refer to the Lesson – Whaling for more detail on this topic.
Why do you think whales have
not fully recovered from whaling?
not fully recovered from whaling?
Slide 20 - Mind map
Why are whale numbers slow to recover?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Why do you think whales have not fully recovered from whaling?“
Whales are slow to recover from whaling for a number of reasons:
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Why do you think whales have not fully recovered from whaling?“
Whales are slow to recover from whaling for a number of reasons:
- Slow to reproduce – whales only have new calves once every 3-6 years.
- The numerous other issues having an impact on whales. Which we will discuss next.
Slide 21 - Slide
By-catch
By-catch in commercial fishing nets. By-catch is anything that gets caught in the nets that the fishermen don’t want or cannot sell.
Due to the size of commercial fishing nets, like purse seine nets, which can be several kilometres long, it is easy to trap whales in the net.
Each year over 300,000 whales and dolphins die as a result of being caught as by-catch in commercial fishing nets.
By-catch in commercial fishing nets. By-catch is anything that gets caught in the nets that the fishermen don’t want or cannot sell.
Due to the size of commercial fishing nets, like purse seine nets, which can be several kilometres long, it is easy to trap whales in the net.
Each year over 300,000 whales and dolphins die as a result of being caught as by-catch in commercial fishing nets.
Slide 22 - Slide
Entanglement in fishing gear
Migrating whales also get entangled in illegal gillnets used by poachers or in lost or discarded fishing nets.
Dumped nets become ghost nets, floating in the ocean still catching all animals they encounter. Thousands of whales die each year trapped in nets.
Whales also get caught in cray pots and fishing traps, with the lines becoming entangled around the whale’s body or tail(fluke).
For more information on this topic see the Lesson: Abandoned, Lost and Discarded fishing gear.
Migrating whales also get entangled in illegal gillnets used by poachers or in lost or discarded fishing nets.
Dumped nets become ghost nets, floating in the ocean still catching all animals they encounter. Thousands of whales die each year trapped in nets.
Whales also get caught in cray pots and fishing traps, with the lines becoming entangled around the whale’s body or tail(fluke).
For more information on this topic see the Lesson: Abandoned, Lost and Discarded fishing gear.
Slide 23 - Slide
Marine debris
Over 12 million tonnes of plastic pollution finds its way into the ocean each year.
That is one full garbage truck every 40 seconds emptying its contents into the ocean.
This includes small items like plastic bags, balloons, bottles and all kinds of rubbish left behind at beaches, dumped at sea or lost from container ships during rough weather.
Over 12 million tonnes of plastic pollution finds its way into the ocean each year.
That is one full garbage truck every 40 seconds emptying its contents into the ocean.
This includes small items like plastic bags, balloons, bottles and all kinds of rubbish left behind at beaches, dumped at sea or lost from container ships during rough weather.
Why do you think whales end up dying from this plastic pollution?
Slide 24 - Open question
Why do whales ingest plastic?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Why do you think whales end up dying from this plastic pollution?”
Whales ingest the plastic while feeding. Because they can’t regurgitate the accidentally eaten plastic, their stomach gets blocked and they are no longer able to eat and digest properly.
Whales can’t distinguish the difference between food and rubbish. Baleen whales can easily scoop up rubbish as they feed.
Whales don’t expect anything but food to be in the ocean, they’re not familiar with ‘manmade’ rubbish.
Ocean pollution kills hundreds of thousands of marine animals each year.
The “Polluting the Ocean” lesson provides additional information on this topic.
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Why do you think whales end up dying from this plastic pollution?”
Whales ingest the plastic while feeding. Because they can’t regurgitate the accidentally eaten plastic, their stomach gets blocked and they are no longer able to eat and digest properly.
Whales can’t distinguish the difference between food and rubbish. Baleen whales can easily scoop up rubbish as they feed.
Whales don’t expect anything but food to be in the ocean, they’re not familiar with ‘manmade’ rubbish.
Ocean pollution kills hundreds of thousands of marine animals each year.
The “Polluting the Ocean” lesson provides additional information on this topic.
What other types of pollution
could be in the ocean?
could be in the ocean?
Slide 25 - Mind map
What other pollutions is in the ocean?
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What other types of pollution could be in the ocean?”
Other pollution types:
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“What other types of pollution could be in the ocean?”
Other pollution types:
- Household chemicals.
- Industrial chemicals.
- Agriculture run off with nitrogen and pesticides.
- Prescription and illegal drugs from human waste.
Slide 26 - Slide
Ship strikes
Shipping is the main way that goods are transported around the world, with up to 90% of cargo sent by ship.
Increases in shipping over the last 50 years has led to two issues, the first we have already talked about, noise pollution. The second is ships hitting whales and other marine wildlife.
Ships often use the same water routes as migrating whales, and also cross whales feeding grounds and nursery areas. Thousands of marine animals are hit and seriously injured or killed by ships each year. In particular by the big cargo ships, oil tankers, coal ships and cruise liners.
Shipping is the main way that goods are transported around the world, with up to 90% of cargo sent by ship.
Increases in shipping over the last 50 years has led to two issues, the first we have already talked about, noise pollution. The second is ships hitting whales and other marine wildlife.
Ships often use the same water routes as migrating whales, and also cross whales feeding grounds and nursery areas. Thousands of marine animals are hit and seriously injured or killed by ships each year. In particular by the big cargo ships, oil tankers, coal ships and cruise liners.
“Another risk is whale watching tourist boats getting too close and harassing or injuring whales. What measures might be in place to protect the whales?”
Slide 27 - Open question
Tourists boats
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Another risk is whale watching tourist boats getting too close and harassing or injuring whales. What measures might be in place to protect the whales?”
Generally there are laws in place that restrict how close vessels can get to whales. This also applies to aircraft and drones. Exemptions might apply for researchers collecting data.
There may also be laws in place that restrict vessel speed to protect whales and dolphins in areas close to shore.
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Another risk is whale watching tourist boats getting too close and harassing or injuring whales. What measures might be in place to protect the whales?”
Generally there are laws in place that restrict how close vessels can get to whales. This also applies to aircraft and drones. Exemptions might apply for researchers collecting data.
There may also be laws in place that restrict vessel speed to protect whales and dolphins in areas close to shore.
Slide 28 - Slide
Oil spills
Other issues that have a huge impact on the health of our ocean is oil disasters and toxic waste. These have a devastating impact on marine ecosystems and it takes decades for the area to start to recover.
Some 40% of oil produced is shipped around the world in tankers. Over the years there have been a number of disasters with oil tankers.
In the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 an oilrig doing exploratory drilling had a blowout, resulting in oil leaking into the surrounding ocean for 3 months. The amount of oil that leaked was some 780,000 cubic metres (7.8m litres). This equates to 180,000km2 of ocean covered.
The chemicals used to disperse the oil from the ocean surface are also toxic to fish with some causing cancers, decimating marine species. Making the oil disappear from the surface does not mean the problem is solved. It just means the oil is now covering the ocean floor, killing everything on the seabed.
Other issues that have a huge impact on the health of our ocean is oil disasters and toxic waste. These have a devastating impact on marine ecosystems and it takes decades for the area to start to recover.
Some 40% of oil produced is shipped around the world in tankers. Over the years there have been a number of disasters with oil tankers.
In the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 an oilrig doing exploratory drilling had a blowout, resulting in oil leaking into the surrounding ocean for 3 months. The amount of oil that leaked was some 780,000 cubic metres (7.8m litres). This equates to 180,000km2 of ocean covered.
The chemicals used to disperse the oil from the ocean surface are also toxic to fish with some causing cancers, decimating marine species. Making the oil disappear from the surface does not mean the problem is solved. It just means the oil is now covering the ocean floor, killing everything on the seabed.
Slide 29 - Slide
Overfishing of food sources
Overfishing of the ocean impacts on other marine species, as their food sources are taken away. Whales and other species may be competing for food.
Krill fisheries are expanding in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, increasing the catch taken. This is the same region where most whales migrate to in the southern summer to feed on krill and plankton.
Overfishing of the ocean impacts on other marine species, as their food sources are taken away. Whales and other species may be competing for food.
Krill fisheries are expanding in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, increasing the catch taken. This is the same region where most whales migrate to in the southern summer to feed on krill and plankton.
Slide 30 - Slide
Climate change
Climate change; is having an impact on the ocean, as it absorbs increasing levels of manmade carbon pollution, increasing the acidity levels in the ocean, as well as the temperature of the ocean water.
Warming temperatures have an impact on which species can live in each area. This may have a long term impact on feeding and migration patterns of whales.
Climate change; is having an impact on the ocean, as it absorbs increasing levels of manmade carbon pollution, increasing the acidity levels in the ocean, as well as the temperature of the ocean water.
Warming temperatures have an impact on which species can live in each area. This may have a long term impact on feeding and migration patterns of whales.
Name six of the issues impacting on whale species?
Slide 31 - Open question
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Name six of the issues impacting on whale species?”
“Name six of the issues impacting on whale species?”
What do you think you could
do to help protect whales?
do to help protect whales?
Slide 32 - Mind map
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“What do you think you could do to help protect whales?”
“What do you think you could do to help protect whales?”
Slide 33 - Slide
Ways to help protect whales?
These areas can be expanded as classroom discussions or research projects on ways students can help in each area.
- Don’t invade a whales space, stay at a safe distance. Disturbing a whale with a calf can cause distress.
- Think about noise pollution if out on the water on a boat.
- Help fight climate change to reduce ocean acidification and a rising ocean temperature.
- Reduce demand for fish and related products, like fish oil or krill oil.
- Help fight plastic pollution – reduce your use of single use plastics or join in clean ups.
These areas can be expanded as classroom discussions or research projects on ways students can help in each area.
Write down three things you have learned?
Slide 34 - Open question
What did you learn?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Write down one thing you didn't understand?
Slide 35 - Open question
What don’t you understand?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Slide 36 - Slide
Sea Shepherd Case Studies cover a number of Sea Shepherd campaigns and show video of some of our work to protect whales. These can be used to enhance the learning experience from these lessons
Slide 37 - Slide
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