Conflicts Between Arctic Industries and Cetaceans

Abstract

As in many oceans around the globe, there is extensive and increasing interactions between cetaceans and industries in the Arctic. The Arctic hosts 16 cetacean species (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), some of which are seasonal visitors while others are year-round inhabitants (CAFF 2017). This chapter focuses on six cetacean species on which extensive research has been conducted, exemplified by: baleen whales; blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), large toothed whales; sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and orca (Orcinus orca), and small toothed whales; white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). These can be used as representatives of all Arctic cetacean species. The industries which have the most conflict with cetaceans in the Arctic include shipping, oil exploration, and commercial fisheries. This chapter will explore the interactions between the six example species and these industries, and the impacts these interactions can have on both. It will also touch on some further conflicts between other Arctic activities and cetaceans as industries expand and human presence in the Arctic Ocean increases.