Fin whales return to historic feeding grounds in conservation win

• "In times of climate change, biodiversity loss and species extinction, the recovery of a large whale population is not only a glimpse of hope; it is also likely to have a stimulating effect on primary production in the Southern Ocean, enhancing CO2 uptake and carbon sink capacities," the paper stated.

The big picture: More than 700,000 fin whales were killed by industrial whaling in the Southern Ocean between 1904 and 1976, with only 1%–2% of the population ultimately surviving, the paper stated.

• On an expedition to Elephant Island, northeast of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, researchers observed feeding frenzies with about 150 whales more than once.
• Their resurgence in their historic feeding grounds is "raising hope that fin whales are on their way to pre-exploitation numbers," the report stated.

What they're saying: “It was one of the most spectacular observations I’ve had,” Helena Herr, a marine mammal ecologist and one of the paper's authors, told the New York Times about witnessing the feeding frenzy.

• “The fin whales seemed to go crazy because of the food load they were confronted with. It was absolutely thrilling," she added.
• The rebounding population is “a sign that if you enforce management and conservation, there are chances for species to recover,” Herr said.