Do you know what the largest animal on the planet is? The Antarctic blue whale is the biggest animal on the planet, weighing up to 180 tons (approximately 36 elephants) and reaching up to 30 metres in length [1] ! This week, on 16 February, we celebrate World Whale Day, a moment to appreciate these majestic marine mammals and raise awareness of the threats they face. Whales are crucial for marine ecosystems, as they help regulate the ocean’s food chain and contribute to carbon sequestration by storing carbon in their bodies [2]. However, they are increasingly endangered due to human activities such as climate change, habitat destruction, ship strikes, plastic pollution, and noise disturbances [3]. In Europe, the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area (ACCOBAMS), aims to reduce threats to cetaceans by enhancing our understanding of these animals and their ecosystems. Protecting whale populations is not just about conservation; it is about maintaining the health of our ocean.
This week’s map presents the ocean divided into Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs), each characterised by distinct seafloor structures, physical properties, and biological communities. LMEs are typically 200,000 km² or larger, covering coastal areas that link estuaries and river basins with the open ocean. Understanding these ecosystems is crucial for sustainable ocean resource management, including fisheries, pollution control, and biodiversity conservation [4]. LMEs support key marine habitats and species, helping policymakers develop ecosystem-based approaches for marine protection. Explore this week’s map to learn more about LMEs and their importance in global marine conservation! By the way, have you seen that the Atlas team added a new tool in the Atlas? The ‘My map notes’ tool helps you to customise and annotate maps and explore data more easily! Learn how to use this new tool with the Atlas’ interactive help available in the Atlas menu under ‘Do you need help?’.
The European Union (EU) is actively working on restoring marine ecosystems through ambitious legislative frameworks. As part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Nature Restoration Law aims to rehabilitate degraded marine habitats, improve biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem resilience against climate change. A goal of this legislation focuses on restoring seagrass beds and sediment bottoms, as well as restoring ecosystems of iconic species such as dolphins or whales. By mid-2026, EU countries are expected to submit National Restoration Plans to the Commission, showing how they will deliver on the targets. They will also be required to monitor and report on their progress. Moreover, by enforcing marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management, the EU seeks to reverse biodiversity loss and ensure healthier seas for future generations.
Wish to learn more?
- Explore ACCOBAMS’ conservation actions and discover initiatives dedicated to protecting whales and dolphins;
- Discover the role of whales in the oceanic carbon cycle by reading Dr. Carla Freitas and Morten Skogen’s blog article for the OceanICU project;
- Interested to learn more about Europe’s marine biodiversity and ecosystems? Download the latest European Atlas of the Seas’ quiz in the Atlas’ Teachers Corner !
- Learn more about whales with the World Wildlife Fund!
- Are you working on an ocean literacy project? Apply for the EU4Ocean’s MakeEUBlue Awards by 14 March 2025. Apply now!
The data in the map are provided by the UN Atlas of the Oceans.
[1] https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/meet-the-biggest-animal-in-the-world
[2] https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/whales-and-carbon-sequestration-can-whales-store-carbon
[3] https://hval.whales.org/en/meet-the-whales/their-biggest-threats/
[4] https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/Large_Marine_Ecosystem_Approach_22062017.pdf