WWF launches an online report mapping Arctic whale migrations amid increasing threats to their migration routes, known as blue corridors
Beluga whale pod (Delphinapterus leucas) migrating through sea ice in the Arctic, Canada © naturepl.com / Doug Allan / WWF
A new report by WWF’s Global Arctic Programme highlights the urgency of taking concrete action to safeguard Arctic whales on their migrations, as they are faced with new and growing pressure from climate change and increased shipping activity.
As the Arctic Ocean experiences rapid change from the climate crisis and industrial activities, WWF is calling for urgent action to protect whales while they are using migratory routes, known as blue corridors, that are essential for the survival of many whale species. The new online report sheds light on the critical importance of these corridors for whales and the escalating threats posed by the climate crisis and increased shipping activity in the Arctic.
The Arctic Ocean is a vital life support system for one-quarter of the planet's whale species, including Arctic whales: the narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whale. These whales undertake vast migrations between summer and winter habitats, navigating thousands of kilometers along these blue corridors. For the first time, WWF has mapped these routes across the entire Arctic Ocean and overlaid them with shipping lanes to highlight the issue and identify areas where action is required.
Rising threats to Arctic whales
The Arctic is warming up to four times faster than the rest of the planet, causing sea ice to retreat earlier in the spring and return later in the autumn. This not only affects the whales' migration patterns but also their access to food and shelter. The loss of sea ice is opening up new areas for industrial activities and shipping, leading to a dramatic increase in ship traffic in the region.
From 2013 to 2023, the number of ships entering the Arctic increased by 37 per cent, and the distance traveled doubled. This increase in shipping activity, including in blue corridors, poses a significant threat to migrating whales.
“Arctic whales and ships often take the same routes. Now that we have put blue corridors on a map, we can clearly see that. This urgent problem needs to be addressed to safeguard whales from risks to their survival, including collisions with ships and exposure to underwater noise pollution,” said Dr Melanie Lancaster, Senior Specialist, Arctic Species, at the WWF Global Arctic Programme.
The urgent need for conservation action
The WWF online report emphasizes that safeguarding migrating whales requires coordinated action at multiple levels, from local to global. WWF is urging Arctic states, the Arctic Council, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the shipping industry, and other stakeholders to take immediate steps to protect these important habitats.
“Whales do not recognize borders, and their migration routes span multiple national jurisdictions and international waters," continued Melanie Lancaster. "We need conservation action that matches the scale at which nature operates, which means collaboration and nimbleness to change. This is not traditionally how things are done by governments and industry, but it’s essential if we are to give Arctic species and systems the best chance.”
Call to Action for stakeholders
WWF is urging Arctic states to incorporate Arctic blue corridors into the planning and implementation of the United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework to protect at least 30 percent of oceans by 2030.
WWF also calls on the Arctic Council to recognize these corridors as crucial elements of ecological connectivity and to support Arctic states in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Additionally, WWF is asking the shipping industry to include blue corridors in voyage planning, move shipping routes away from these corridors, and reduce ship speeds where shipping routes cannot be separated from migrating whales. The IMO is urged to develop special guidance for managing underwater noise in the Arctic and to mandate protective measures for marine mammals as outlined in the Polar Code.
Finally, the research community is encouraged to lead efforts to fill knowledge gaps using science and Indigenous Knowledge, innovate new ways to monitor whale migrations, and make data publicly available to inform decision-making.
“Putting Arctic blue corridors on a map has shown us there’s much still to be learned. But we have a starting point now, and we certainly have enough lessons from other parts of the world about the impacts of shipping on whales and ocean health to take informed action without delay”, says Melanie Lancaster.
Arctic Blue Corridors Report (2024) is available to view online here (full-screen version here).
Notes to Editor
For further information:
Andrea Norgren | Senior Manager Communications, WWF Global Arctic Programme | andrea.norgren@wwf.se
