What is the Significance of the Whales?
As we navigate these challenging times on Planet Earth, and sail into a new year, I ponder the importance of the oceans and the whales, and what we can do. Much scientific data has been collected about these large creatures. We know they were nearly hunted into extinction, and that their numbers are increasing under the protection of national and international laws. We know a lot about their size, weight, habits, migration patterns. We know that their songs are sung in patterns that meet the definition of what we humans define as music.
We also know that humans are very curious about whales, and that there are thriving businesses here and across the globe that specialize in catering to our desire to get close to them. Here on Maui, many people have arrived for respite from the cold and a chance to go out and see our whales. Many whales are also arriving to give birth in these warm and friendly waters. Very soon we will be in “peak season.”
We have based our operations here on Maui for ten years now, and have learned a lot about the whales and the people who love them, and the people who study them. We still have a lot to learn. We are still working on finding our place in this world. We want to contribute to increasing the awareness of the importance of the whales and the health of the oceans. If nothing else, the whales are a reminder of the fact that the actions of humans can drive a species to extinction or the brink of extinction…and that we humans can also take action collectively to make things better.
Despite the challenges of the economy for the past two years we are still hoping to be back in the ocean again this year, for our 11th season. Thank you to all of you who have supported us in this endeavor with time, money, expertise, encouragement. From the Whalesong Project, best wishes to all of you out there for a happy and healthy New Year.