The Legislature of Chubut and the Municipality of Puerto Pirámides recognized the work for the breeding and reproduction of Southern Right Whales in Chubut carried out by the Whale Conservation Institute (ICB).
This recognition took place at the beginning of the year, declaring their research and education programs of scientific, educational, social, and environmental interest.
Additionally, a key agreement was signed with the Ministry of Tourism and Protected Areas of the province to strengthen their joint work. The focus is on the conservation of marine biodiversity and promoting responsible tourism.
Southern Right Whales breeding and reproduction programs
By the end of 2024, the ICB received recognition from the Municipality of Puerto Pirámides and the Legislature of Chubut. The highlighted programs were:
- Southern Right Whale Research Program and its associated scientific projects.
- Educational Program “Bringing Whales to Your School”.
- Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program.
As reported by Ballenas.org.ar, this sustained work has been ongoing for over five decades, carried out in collaboration with Ocean Alliance.
“It has allowed the Southern Right Whale Research Program, based on photo-identification and biological monitoring, to generate key information about the ecology, dynamics, and conservation status of the Southern Right Whale population,” they reported.
This species, emblematic of Peninsula Valdés, is an icon of the marine biodiversity of Chubut and the Argentine Sea.
The results of these studies are presented at international forums, where key decisions for global conservation are made. They have also led to educational programs reaching thousands of students across Argentina and promoting responsible tourism alongside local communities.
In this context, Diego Taboada, President of the ICB, highlighted the recognitions. “They reflect the commitment with which we carry out each of the projects in the province of Chubut,” he stated.
“It is our desire to continue strengthening cooperation through actions that allow us to address environmental, social, and economic challenges, ensuring the preservation of marine and coastal biodiversity,” he added.
The health of the whales in Peninsula Valdés, key to local biodiversity
The Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program, by the ICB, aims to study the health of individuals that die in Peninsula Valdés and surrounding areas.
The objective is to learn about their health, understand the causes of mortality, and identify potential threats, both natural and of human origin.
Through forensic examinations, they seek to identify possible risks to the health of the whales and assess their susceptibility to diseases, contaminants, and other harmful agents, thus contributing to their conservation through management strategies.
Tissue and organ samples are collected from each whale to investigate the effects of various factors, such as gull attacks, infectious diseases, biotoxins, plastics, and pollutants, among others. They also analyze physiological indicators such as stress hormones, nutritional status, diet, and genetics.
Evidence of the direct effects of human activities is also documented, such as injuries from entanglements in ropes, fishing nets, or cuts from boat propellers.
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