Blue whales have experienced a 40 percent drop in song frequency over the past six years, correlated with significant marine heatwaves that have depleted their food supply. Major heatwaves, like The Blob, raised ocean temperatures and caused toxic algal blooms, resulting in widespread poisoning of marine mammals. With krill populations adversely affected, scientists express concerns about the broader ecosystem consequences of climate change. The silence of blue whales is not only observed off California but also across the South Pacific and Argentine waters, indicating a widespread crisis.
"It caused the most widespread poisoning of marine mammals ever documented. These were hard times for whales," John Ryan, a biological oceanographer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, told National Geographic.
"It's like trying to sing while you're starving," said Ryan, as the marine heatwave known as The Blob raised ocean temperatures by more than 4.5°F and devastated krill and anchovy populations.
"If they can't find food, and they can traverse the entire West Coast of North America, that is a really large-scale consequence," said Kelly Benoit-Bird.
Researchers found blue whale songs dropped by almost 40 percent over the past six years, highlighting the impact of human activity and climate change on marine life.
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