How Australia’s 1970s Action To Protect Whales Had a Knock-On Effect Across The Globe

How  Australia’s 1970s Action To Protect Whales Had a Knock-On Effect Across The Globe

• Scientists have revealed a scary idea of potential consequences if we don’t continue to protect sharks and whales in Australia- they are more important than you know to our eco-system

• According to research, sharks native to Australia can store the same amount of blue carbon as more than 400sqm of forest 

• Both Blue and Sperm Whales can store the same amount of blue carbon equivilent to the size of  whole countries such as Taiwan, Luxembourg and Gibraltar  

• Researchers say protecting our aquatic life will be key in the fight against climate change 

Millions of metric tonnes of carbon could have ended up in our atmosphere had Australia not protected and conserved its sharks and whales, scientists have revealed.

While sharks and whales may seem nothing more than members of marine life which most humans sought to avoid or watch on occasion, research has now revealed the vital role both of these species play in the Earth’s survival. 

A new study by Ocean Science & Technology has analysed how much ‘oceanic blue carbon’ certain aquatic wildlife can store, demonstrating the potentially catastrophic effect on the globe if we were to drive whales and sharks to extinction. Thankfully, Australia has already taken some action and banned whaling in 1979 to protect the species and banned the live finning of sharks. 

Collectively along with seals, otters and turtles, sharks can help store 11.5 million tonnes of carbon per year, equivalent to a 401,000 square metre forest. Without sharks’ contribution, scientists predict we would be seeing an even more drastic impact from climate change now. 

Blue and Sperm Whales also make a drastic contribution to Australia’s eco-system as they can store as much blue carbon equivilent to the size of countries such as Taiwan and Luxembourg respectively. 

Despite Blue Whales still being an endangered species, they are extremely important in balancing the planet’s eco-system. Thankfully, a ban on whaling in the 1970s and years of conservation efforts have seen populations thriving once again, humpback whales for example are no longer classified as endangered – which is positive news for the climate.

Sharks can store as much carbon emitted from a flight from New York to Paris … 5.5 million times. 

Every sperm whale can store as much carbon as what is produced by the average household in one year 246,914 times.

According to the data, otters, seals, sharks and turtles can store as much carbon as 11.2 million return flights from New York to Paris. To put that in perspective, that’s 14 years’ worth of said flights. 

What’s more, our frightening friends can capture the same amount of carbon as 6 million diesel cars produce in one year. 

CO2 emissions blue carbon can capture relatively throughout their lifetime:

Sharks are responsible for Trophic Cascade Carbon, keeping herbivore animals in check so underwater plant life can thrive. Sperm whales are responsible for Biomixing Carbon and Whale Pump which enhances the uptake of atmospheric carbon and boosts phytoplankton growth which consequently enhances atmospheric carbon uptake through photosynthesis.

The research from Ocean Science & Technology highlights a host of hidden heroes beneath the ocean’s surface. 

Our Oceans Top Carbon Storers 

According to scientists, if marine animals are left to thrive, they can capture carbon emitted into the earth's atmosphere and store it naturally in the depths of the ocean, from any time between months to millions of years. 

Mesopelagic fish are the top carbon storers, with the ability to store the same amount of carbon as a 401,985km sq forest, roughly the size of the UK two times over. These fish live in the Mesopelagic zone of the ocean in depths of 200 to 1000 metres. 

Mike Rees, Founder and CTO of Ocean Science and Technology commented: 

‘Marine-based science technology is key to unlocking many innovative and combative ways to fight climate change. As long as the right funds and resources are being put into amazing research like the work that’s being done on blue carbon, who knows what the future holds.’

To see other comparisons of carbon storage marine animals are capable of visit: https://www.oceansciencetechnology.com/feature/oceanic-allies/ 

-ENDS- 

Notes to editors

Blue Carbon Research courtesy of GRID-Arendal is a non-profit environmental communications centre. We transform environmental data into innovative, science-based information products and provide capacity-building services. We aim to inform and activate a global audience and motivate decision-makers to effect positive change. GRID-Arendal collaborates with the United Nations Environment Programme and other partners around the world.

Data calculations:

• Carbon footprint per household in the UK based on most recent data from 2014 

• Diesel car emissions based on the average mileage per year of one car

• Flight data based on the average emissions of one passenger on a return flight from Paris to New York

• Flight calculation has been worked out based on if the number of scheduled flights per year went ahead, and each flight were full based on the standard planned aircraft carrier taking the route.  

For further information, please contact Joe Kelly via joe.kelly@ics-digital.com

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