Examining the Impacts of Whales on Commercial Fisheries

A Lenfest Ocean Program Research Project (July 2007 - April 2009)
PI: Leah Gerber; Co-PI's: Lyne Morissette and Kristin Kaschner

Recent studies have proposed that whales are the culprits behind decreased fish populations and as a result they should be culled. The rationale for such arguments is questionable in light of documented overfishing occurring on a global scale, the lack of scientific evidence for existing large-scale competition between marine mammals and fisheries, and the unpredictable consequences of culling. Nonetheless, the "whales eat fish" issue has become a significant point of contention.

To understand the impact of whales on commercial fisheries, it is necessary to analyze the situation in the context of ecosystems in order to consider the complex indirect and direct interactions through which these two groups might influence each other. To this end, the Lenfest Ocean Program is supporting a project to examine the scientific evidence for the assertion that commercial fisheries are negatively impacted by whales.

To view a description of this research project, click here.

Associated with this research project, an expert workshop titled Whales & Fish Interactions: Are Great Whales a Threat to Fisheries? was held 8-9 May 2008 in Dakar, Senegal. The workshop was organized by WWF-WAMER and the Lenfest Ocean Program.

To view the workshop agenda in English, click here. To view the workshop agenda in French, click here.

To view the conclusions of the workshop in English, click here. To view the conclusions of the workshop in French, click here. To view the conclusions of the workshop in Portuguese, click here.

To view a list of workshop participants in English, click here. To view a list of workshop participants in French, click here.

To view an essay on this workshop by Daniel Pauly, click here.

To view photographs of the workshop, click here.