February 19 - World Day for the Protection of Marine Mammals (Whale Day)

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On February 19, many countries around the world celebrate World Marine Mammal Day or World Whale Day. The environmental date is considered the day of protection of all marine mammals and other living creatures that live in the seas and oceans of our planet. The date was established in 1986, when a moratorium on whaling, introduced by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), came into force. According to the moratorium, whale hunting and the sale of whale meat are prohibited worldwide. Currently, whale fishing is permitted solely to meet the needs of the indigenous (aboriginal) population, as well as the seizure of whales for scientific purposes, with the special permissions of the IWC member governments.

Whale Day has a specific goal - to attract the attention of the public, government officials and all of humanity to the protection of the unique species of animals and all marine mammals in general, of which only 119 species have survived on our planet so far. The intense and merciless extermination of marine mammals and, in particular, whales, which has been going on for more than 200 years, adversely affects their numbers - many representatives of this order were on the verge of extinction.

But it is whales that are the most sensitive indicator of the state of the marine systems of the planet. Whales are an important and integral link in the supply chains of the oceans; they create stability of the biological cycle of substances in the ecological system. Therefore, a reduction in the number of whales and other marine animals leads to a disturbance in the biological balance in marine ecosystems. After all, every extinct species is an irreparable loss. Everything that disappears in the animal kingdom disappears forever!

Despite the fact that the moratorium on whaling is still in effect and whaling is prohibited by the laws of most countries, the destruction of these animals does not stop. In addition, man through his activity, unfortunately, is not always rational, has long negatively affected nature, irrevocably changing it. For example, fishing tackle, as well as pollution of the oceans with oil products due to the expansion of the geography of oil production on the sea shelf, cause large losses to marine mammals.

The deplorable state of affairs does not suit the defenders of marine mammals and all people who are not indifferent to the future of our planet. To preserve marine life, this problem is attracted public attention. In many countries there are clubs and societies of lovers of these animals, marine reserves are created, where nothing threatens their lives. Every year, on Whale Day, various environmental groups, environmental organizations and the public hold all kinds of actions in defense of marine mammals, information events or devote this day to the protection of one unique species that is in mortal danger.

Recall that there is another date for such events - World Day of Whales and Dolphins , which is celebrated on July 23.

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