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Negative Impacts
Negative Impacts
The Sperm whale highlights two forms of Negative Impact: Illegal fishing (in this case with the Spadara) that then lead to by-catch
Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are the largest of the Odontoceti, toothed whale; males can reach 18m in length and weight up to 40 tons. However, even their big teeth, that can be up to 20cm long, cannot help them escape from getting entangled in fishing gear. When animals get caught in fishing nets and lines that are being used to catch another species it is known as by-catch. Sometimes the nets that are used are illegal, such as in the Mediterranean with the Spadara - a driftnet used to catch swordfish that has a high by-catch rate for other species.
In this clip from Ligurie Notizie, an Italian news source, you can see images from the Italian Coast Guard of their attempt to save "Furia", the female sperm whale that was completely entanged in an illegal fishing net, link.
Note the moment the water because brown. These are the excrements of the whale, however, unfortunately you can see many items of plastic that have also been expelled with the excrements.
Positive Impacts with Carmelo
Positive Impacts with Carmelo
Carmelo Isgrò is the founder and director of the MuMa Milazzo Sea Museum. He is also in general passionate about protecting and raising awareness about our Ocean. The biologist is also a SEA BEYONDer, part of the educational programme promoted by the PRADA Group and the Intergovermental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. One way Carmelo raises awareness is through the museum he created, he also sails around the Mediterranean Sea on the museum's sailboat "Cassiopea" or can be seen at conferences, events or on his social media page always sharing his knowledge and passion for the environment.
His work is crutial also for networking and he often collaborates with others. At the musem he envisioned different types of educational areas including touch screens with interesting videos, and through a collaboration with Jessica Alessi (who you'll learn more about with the common bottlenose dolphin), there are these two videos about sperm whales both at the museum and available online:
Why does the sperm whale have such a big head? Learn more in this video, link.
. How does a sperm whale dive so deep? Learn more in this video, link.
Are you read to test your knowledge? To keep the museum dynamic, there are also quizes and games like this one:
Are you a sperm whale expert, play the game at this link.
Carmelo is often present when marine animals are entangled and tries to also be there when they are released again after rehabilitation.
Carmelo is very active on social media to raise awareness about the Ocean. In this video for the National Day of the Sea, he captures on film the release of a sea turtle by the Italian Coast Guard, link.
There is also a nice view of the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow.
Summary: We've learned about sperm whales, illegal fishing and by-catch, as well as positive ways we can make a difference.
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