Whales sing less with declining food sources, signaling problems

A new study shows that whales sing less when their food sources decline due to climate change. Researchers found that whale songs in Monterey Bay decreased during a marine heat wave that harmed krill and fish populations. The study analyzed whale vocalizations from 2015 to 2021, linking song frequency to prey availability. As food sources recovered, whale songs increased, indicating their reliance on vocalizations for mating and foraging. Scientists used advanced technology to identify whale songs and track changes in their diets. The findings suggest that a decline in whale songs may signal broader issues in ocean health and biodiversity.