[whales] drawn north by melting ice

Two decades ago, hunters, scientists and other northern travellers usually reported about six killer whales a year in the waters of western Hudson Bay. By 2000, the number of sightings in that one area had ballooned to more than 30 annually.

The reason for the increase in killer whale numbers is unclear. But Federal researcher Jeff Higdon, who works with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Winnipeg, said his research shows a strong correlation between increased sightings and the decline of sea ice.

Apart from ignoring the journo-cringeworthy term ‘ballooning’ and admitting the reason is unclear, nevertheless, NASA studies suggest that for more than 25 years, winter sea ice diminished by about 1.5 per cent per decade. But in the last two years, melting has occurred at rates 10 to 15 times faster.

So what? It puts the Inuit hunters under pressure to survive for a start. So what, you ask again? Don’t know. Just thought I’d mention it.