one green planet
one green planet

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and other welfare groups are calling attention to a planned experiment in Norway using captured minke whales, according to an email from Animal Welfare Institute. Organizations are urging the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to revoke an approval that could be harmful to whales.

According to permits discovered by AWI, the several-week project includes a net to trap and herd migrating juvenile minke whales into a small modified aquaculture cage. Once in the cage, researchers will measure brain waves and other reactions to determine how the whales would react to naval sonar and oil exploration disruptions. Whales would be kept for four days and up to 12 whales could be captured, AWI reported.

“If a minke whale, even a juvenile, were to respond with great force, it also could be extremely dangerous for the human researchers,” said Susan Millward, director of AWI’s marine program in an emailed statement. “Since whale reactions can be unpredictable, we believe that these researchers — particularly those in the water — will be at risk of serious injury. It is simply not worth taking a chance, particularly when existing research already tells us how baleen whales are affected by ocean noise.”

You can help by contacting the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Mattilsynet, as soon as possible and tell them to end this.

Source: Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)/YouTube

Whales already face a number of threats including noise pollution, shipping accidents, hunters, being caught as by-catch, plastic pollution, and climate change. Rather than finding more ways to disturb whales, governments need to protect these animals and their habitats.

Read more about whales in One Green Planet, including the two beluga whales brought to a sanctuary; military sonar exercise linked to beached whales; hypersonic weapons testing affecting killer whales; over 100 beached whales saved by rescuers; whales, dolphins, and porpoises face an unprecedented risk of extinction;  and humpback whale trapped in fishing gear.

Read more about whale hunting in Norway in One Green Planet, including whale hunting in the Faroe Islands and the Norwegian government’s response to hunting. 

Sign this petition to end whaling in Norway!

Demand Norway Phase Out WhalingClick Here to Sign Petition

You can also help whales by donating to Whale and Dolphin Conservation and the Dolphin + Whale Project. Make sure to also sign these petitions to help whales and dolphins:

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!