Whale Hunters

Whales are among the most loved yet least understood mammals, but for centuries people have hunted them, some species almost to extinction. Tasmania in the 19th century was a focal point for whaling in the Southern Ocean. This even extended to our estuarine waters, particularly the River Derwent. Today, in most countries, there is a different attitude and whales are mostly "hunted" by whale-watchers with cameras rather than harpoons. Despite this, whaling still persists in some countries.

Whales are becoming a more common sight in Tasmanian waters, particularly during the migration season. This is usually from June through spring, when whales travel north from Antarctica to the breeding grounds in the warmer waters of north-eastern Australia. There are now regular sightings as far up the Derwent as the Tasman Bridge. Unfortunately, some migrating whales fall victim to nature, becoming beached and often perishing on our shores.

Activities

• List the books available in your library that feature whales. Categorise these under fiction and non-fiction. Review two books from each category and compare the general message each gives about whales

• What would be your focus if you were asked to write a book about whales? Would it be about whale conservation, the adventure of an historical whaling expedition, a famous whale, a scientific journal, etc? Write a brief description of the book and make a contents page outlining each chapter.

• Plot on graph paper the ocean depths a variety of whales inhabit. Make scale drawings of each of the species. Use your scale drawings to determine if a relationship exists between the size of a whale and the depths it can reach.

• Calculate the distances travelled by humpback whales between their feeding and breeding grounds. How far do they travel each year?

• Plot the migratory paths of two baleen whale species on a map of the world. Provide notes about the whales' behaviour en-route. Where and when can whales be seen from shore in Australia?

• Iceland has recently backed down on plans to kill hundreds of whales. Try to find out more about how this situation came about. Make a five-stage plan of action to turn the mammals into a tourist attraction.

• Use a flowchart to show how whales evolved from land dwelling creatures such as the pakicetus from the Eocene period more than 50million years ago.

• Answer these commonly asked questions. How intelligent are whales? Why do whales get stranded on beaches? Should whales be kept in captivity? Will we ever be able to talk to whales?

• Many of the organisations that work to help conserve the world's whale population have websites, e.g. Green Peace and WorldWide Fund for Nature. Make a directory of whale conservation sites. Use the websites to find out what these groups do to help protect whales. Review one of these websites. List three actions you can take to help save whales.

• In some countries whale is considered a luxury food. Make a persuasive advertisement to discourage the consumption of whale products.

Websites

Whale Watching Guidelines

www.deh.gov.au/coasts/species/cetaceans/guidelines.html

The official guidelines for what you can and can't do while watching whales.

National Whale Conservation Fund Website

http://www.whalefund.org/index.html

Some beautiful graphics of whales combined with plenty of information makes this a worthwhile site to visit.

History of Whaling In Australia

http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/odyssey/20020121_log_transcript.html

Includes information, pictures and videoclips on whaling in Australia.

The Watery World of Whales

http://www.whales.org.au/home.html

Includes information on the history of whaling in Australia.

Books

Ahab's Trade

By Granville Allen Mawer

A look at the long and fascinating history of south seas whaling. (Allen & Unwin)

Killers of Eden

By Tom Mead

Tells the story of the killer whales of Twofold Bay who used to help whalers capture their prey. (Dolphin Books)

Killers in Eden

By Danielle Clode

A more recent work on the killer whales of Twofold Bay with information on the history of whaling in Australia. (Allen & Unwin)

Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: DK Handbook

By Mark Cawardine

Information on the many different species of cetaceans as well as a brief section on the human relationship with them. (Dorling Kindersley)

Whale: Eyewitness Guide

By Vassili Papastavrou

An illustrated look at whales, whaling and whale watching done in the style which only DK can do. (Dorling Kindersley)