Discussion subject english 3 topic the endangerment of blue whales

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠI

KHOA KINH TẾ & KINH DOANH QUỐC TẾ

MEETING MINUTES(1) – GROUP 7MEETING MINUTES(2) – GROUP 7 INTRODUCTION

LECTURER:HAN THI BICH NGOC

CLASS:232_ENTH1611_18

1 Overview

1.1.Introducing the blue whales

1.1.1 Characteristics and living environment1.1.2 Diet and longevity

1.2.Conservation status of blue whales2 The endangered of blue whales

ENGLISH 3

Topic: THE ENDANGERMENT OF BLUE WHALES

Group: 07 Class: 232_ENTH1611_18 Teacher: Han Thi Bich Ngoc

Preparation assessment: List of students (in the order of presenting)

4Nguyen Thi Oanh (NT)Conclusion+WordA

MEETING MINUTES (1) – GROUP 7

Time: from 8:30 pm – 10:30 pmPlace: Google meet

Date: 12/3/2024

Members: Luong Thi Thuy Nhan, Ha Linh Nhi, Le Cam Nhung, Nguyen Thi Oanh,

Nguyen Quang Phu, Pham Thi Phuong

Contents for discussing:

- Contributing ideas related to: THE ENDANGERMENT OF BLUE WHALES

- Dividing the task of searching for topics and information

Conclusion:

- Choose a topic to discuss.

- Choose a name for the topic of discussion: The endangerment of blue whales

- Stages of the theme:

+) Introducing the blue whales +) The endangered of blue whales

+) Propose solutions to preserve blue whales

Duties for members: Think and choose the most suitable topic out of the suggestions

above to decide.

Head of the team

Nguyen Thi Oanh

MEETING MINUTES (2) – GROUP 7

Time: from 22:30 p.m to 23:30 p.mPlace: Google meet online

Date: 15/3/2024

Members: Luong Thi Thuy Nhan, Ha Linh Nhi, Le Cam Nhung, Nguyen Thi Oanh,

Nguyen Quang Phu, Pham Thi Phuong

Contents for discussing:

- Contributing ideas related to The endangerment of blue whales.

- Dividing the task of searching for topics and information

Conclusion:

- Stages of the theme:

Overview

- Introducing the blue whales

+) Characteristics and living environment +) Diet and longevity

- Conservation status of blue whales

- Propose solutions to preserve blue whales

Head of the team

Nguyen Thi Oanh

OUTLINE

Hello everyone, we are the 7th group, our group includes 6 members with Oanh as the leader, next is me - Cam Nhung, Thuy Nhan, Linh Nhi, Phu, Phuong Today, our group would like to present on the topic: "The endangerment of blue whales" With 3 main parts, first, an overview about blue whale species Second part is about the danger of extinction that this species faced And the last part will be some solutions to preserve blue whales.

BODY1 Overview

1.1.Introducing the blue whales

1.1.1 Characteristics and living environment

Blue Whales are the largest mammals that have ever existed on Earth, with the length reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet) and the weight is up to 200 tons They are the biggest animal that surpasses all other species in the world.

Blue whales belong to a large family of whales, an integral part of the cetacean order, Cetacea This order notably includes not only whales but also dolphins and porpoises, examples of the vast diversity within this group of aquatic mammals Despite their massive bodies, which are considered a wonder of the natural world, blue whales sustain their lives largely on krill – tiny crustaceans – along with a variety of plankton other It is worth noting that these giants of the ocean consume about 4 tons of this species every day.

Interestingly, blue whales have developed an extremely complex communication network, characterized by the use of extremely powerful sounds These sounds are not only a testament to whales' complex social behavior but also their evolutionary adaptability, as these sounds are capable of traveling thousands of miles across ocean depths This advanced acoustic signaling mechanism allows them to maintain connection, coordinate movements over vast distances, and navigate the vast and often murky marine environments they inhabit Through this lens, the blue whale not only fascinates us with its enormous size but also with its complex behaviors and the delicate intricacies of its existence beneath the waves.

1.1.2 Diet and longevity

Blue Whales eat krill for living Blue whales can consume up to 40 tons of prey daily during the summer months in cold, food-rich waters Although Blue Whales eat huge amounts of food in the summer, they eat almost nothing when they move to warmer waters in the winter.

An adult blue whale can consume up to 40 million krill a day They always forage in areas with the highest density of krill, sometimes consuming up to 3,600 kilograms (7,900 lb) of krill in a single day The energy requirement for an adult blue whale is about 1.5 million kilocalories Blue whales' food consumption fluctuates seasonally They often have to consume large quantities of krill in the cold, food-rich waters of Antarctica's waters before moving to warmer waters near the equator to breed.

The lifespan of a Blue Whale is usually about 70 to 90 years, but can be longer if they are not exposed to major environmental threats or challenges The longevity of blue whales, like many other whale species, can be influenced by the following factors:

 Habitat: Blue whales typically live in ocean environments, where they face factors such as marine pollution, collisions with boats, and competition with humans These factors can reduce their lifespan.

 Food: Access to and consumption of food can affect the growth and health of blue whales If they have a rich enough food source and do not have difficulty hunting krill and small fish, their lifespan may be longer.

 Illness and injury: Like all living things, blue whales can also become infected or experience trauma from collisions, leading to a reduction in their lifespan.

 Genetic factors: There is variation in lifespan among individual blue whales Some may live longer due to genetics or other factors

1.2.Conservation status of blue whales

Blue whales are considered large creatures, however they are not protected from the threat Before the 20th century, blue whales existed in large numbers in most of the world's oceans But over the past 100 years, they were hunted to near extinction until protected by international law in 1966.

Blue whales have been protected from hunting by the IWC since 1966, and today some populations appear to be recovering at rates of up to 7% per year11 But many populations appear to still be small, and others are difficult to study due to their diffuse distribution in offshore waters Globally, the species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and under Appendix 1 on the Convention on Migratory Species CMS The Antarctic subspecies is listed as Critically Endangered due to the fact that the current estimated population is still less than 1% of its original pre-whaling size12 Blue whales are protected under both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act NOAA Fisheries is working to protect this species in many ways.

 Recovery Action: Under the ESA, NOAA Fisheries is required to develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of listed species The ultimate goal of the Blue Whale Recovery Plan is to recover the species, with an interim goal of downlisting its status from endangered to threatened.

 Implement blue elephant recovery plan strategies: is to maintain the ban on international commercial hunting enacted in 1986; provides a strategy to improve our understanding of how potential threats may limit blue whale recovery; identify actions to mitigate any threats identified as limiting recovery.

 Collaborative and multi-sectoral programs to raise awareness of threats and actions that can be taken to address them, including bycatch, ship strikes, ocean noise, marine debris and chemical pollution.

2 The endangered of blue whales

2.1.Commercial hunting

Whaling began in prehistoric times and was initially restricted to near-shore marine areas Although prehistoric hunting is often considered to have had a low ecological impact, the hunting of Arctic elephants has transformed freshwater ecology The development of modern whaling techniques increased in the 19th century due to the increased demand for whale oil, and in the 20th century due to the demand for whale meat Hunting of green gourami fish is divided into two types: accidental hunting and indiscriminate hunting.

 Accident hunting: This represents one of the most notorious, serious, unpleasant and even delicate reasons, because without proper control This whale, like many others, remains trapped in the nets of big businessmen making their big catch They were brutally mistreated until they later committed suicide Not to mention the damage caused to the endangered blue whale, as well as other fish species that suffer the same misfortune.

 Indiscriminate hunting: indiscriminate hunting of the endangered blue whale, with the goal of harvesting its meat, as well as its oil, for profit Keep in mind that this work is completely illegal, but inexplicably remains a popular practice Among the countries that practice it according to reports, reports, publications, data, studies and others Conducted without any respect for the species and the damage they cause Also, ignoring the law, which implies that it is for scientific work, they are the following: Japan, Iceland and Norway.

2.2.Collision with ships

Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, face a critical threat from collisions with ships, particularly in busy shipping lanes Their sheer size and relatively slow swimming speed render them highly vulnerable to such accidents These majestic creatures, despite their immense strength, are no match for the massive vessels traversing the world's oceans The consequences of these collisions are dire, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities for the blue whales involved.

The impact of ship strikes on blue whales is exacerbated by their already endangered status With their populations dwindling due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, every individual loss further jeopardizes the species' survival These collisions not only cause immediate harm but also hinder the recovery efforts for blue whale populations worldwide.

Collisions between ships and whales can have serious impacts on both the vessels and the whales Ships often collide with whales while passing through areas where whales are present, and this is a leading cause of whale injuries or deaths.

In 2019, a collision between a container ship and a whale occurred in the Gulf of Quiberon, France, resulting in the death of the whale and severe damage to the ship In 2018, a minke whale died after colliding with a container ship in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam Ship-whale collisions occur worldwide and have sparked debates on how to minimize the impact of ships on whales Measures to protect whales include reducing ship speed when passing through whale habitats, using sensor technologies to detect whales and avoid collisions, and enhancing monitoring and management of whale habitats.

2.3.Marine pollution

Marine pollution indeed poses a significant threat to blue whales and contributes to their risk of extinction The contamination of marine environments by various pollutants, such as plastic debris, chemical contaminants, and oil spills, has detrimental effects on the health and well-being of blue whales.

One of the most concerning impacts of marine pollution on blue whales is the decline in their food sources Pollution can disrupt marine ecosystems, leading to the depletion of plankton populations, which are the primary food source for many whale species, including blue whales As a result, blue whales may face food shortages and nutritional deficiencies, affecting their overall health and reproductive success.

Furthermore, exposure to pollutants can directly harm blue whales' health and reproductive capabilities Chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals and industrial chemicals, can accumulate in the bodies of blue whales through the food chain, leading to various health problems, including immune system suppression, reproductive disorders, and even cancer These adverse effects can further exacerbate the vulnerability of blue whales and hinder their ability to sustain viable populations.

2.4.Noise pollution

The noise pollution affects so much to the behavior and the heath of bluc whale Blue whales use sound to communicate with each other over long distances Noise pollution from boats, sonar, underwater construction activities, can mask their cry, making it

difficult to find a mate, coordinate hunting and migration This leads to more frequent strandings of whales Besides, loud noises can be stressful for blue whales, leading to increased hormone levels Stress can affect the immune system, reproduction, and overall health of whales Long-term exposure to loud noises can cause permanent hearing damage to blue whales This can affect their ability to communicate, locate, and detect their preys Afterward, blue whales can change their behavior to avoid noise, for example moving to deeper waters or changing feeding times This can affect their ability to feed, reproduce and survive Several studies have shown blue whales in the North Atlantic changed their calls to become louder and have higher frequencies to compensate for noise from boats Another study found that blue whales in the Mediterranean have higher levels of the hormone cortisol than whales living in less noisy waters.

3 Propose solutions to preserve blue whales

There are many ways to preserve blue whales Here is some ways I propose Firstly, I suggest hunting restrictions Goverment complete ban on blue whale hunting worldwide, strictly enforce international law on whale protection Next to, I propose to reduce environmental pollution Human should limit noise pollution from boats, underwater construction activities and sonar We can minimize water pollution from agricultural, industrial and domestic activities Also people can remove the plastic waste and other pollutants from the marine environment The third is habitat protection We can do something such as establish marine reserves to protect blue whale habitat, limit excessive exploitation of marine resources, protecting mangrove forests and other coastal ecosystems has an important role to play in maintaining biodiversity The last is awareness of people on Earth Government should raise public awareness of the importance of protecting blue whales, educate people about the impact of environmental pollution and whaling on blue whale life, encourage people to participate in blue whale protection activities By taking action together, we can protect blue whales and ensure the survival of this amazing animal for future generations.

The blue whale is considered a 'carbon absorption giant' in the animal world and is worth the equivalent of thousands of trees However, they are currently facing the risk of extinction These threats are mostly caused by humans People hunt indiscriminately for commercial purposes, causing the number of blue whales to decrease, dumping trash into the sea, causing sea pollution, destroying the habitat of blue whales, using boats at sea causing collisions, creating Loud noise affects the health of blue whales, To protect blue whales from extinction, which is also protecting our lives, everyone should raise awareness of the importance of conservation and joint action to protect blue whales in general and endangered animals in particular.