Suppose we find ourselves 50 years from now, in a world full of environmental desolation, a reflection of the consequences of climate change. It would be important to note that things are looking rather grim for future generations, and we would have nothing else left but to reflect on the actions of our present, and see what we did wrong. The warning signs were all there, the rising water levels, the severe tropic storms, and the forest fires. The canary in the mine was singing, and we chose to cease action. One of these “canaries”, or warning signs, is the decrease of orca populations in the ocean. Orcas, scientifically known as Orcinus Orca, are the apex predators inhabiting most oceans and are highly concentrated in polar regions. They are intelligent creatures, evident in their varied hunting techniques that depend on the prey type and the orca population under observation. The populations of killer whales (Orcinus Orca) have been directly impacted by the negative effects of commercial fishing industries and human disturbances. These factors have forced killer whales to resort to inefficient foraging methods, resulting in a decrease in food sources and the accumulation of toxic chemicals in their diet.

One of the very first obvious warning signs that something is wrong in an ecosystem is the decrease of the apex predator in the food chains (Yakovis & Artemieva, 2015). The issues and deficiencies within the ecosystem typically become apparent when the apex predators begin to die, and at this point, the whole ecosystem can begin to collapse (Hunt, 1990). If you look into the ocean, you can see a decrease in Orca populations. This decrease in orcas could indicate a few issues in the oceanic ecosystem. One is an issue with the food supply, whether it be a lack of fish or a lack of good fish to eat. Another could be the effect of the environment surrounding that could have caused an impact on the population. For this instance, it is a mix of both.

The mass commercialization of the fishing industry has begun to impact the orca population. The presence of fishing vessels near orca waters has caused conflict between the vessels and the orcas, causing retaliation against orcas that hunt the fish in the area. This violence, or depredation, where retaliation against orcas through harpoons and underwater explosives, has impeded the conservation of the already depleting population of orcas. As established earlier, the eventual consequences of this dwindling population of apex predators can be irreversible. Additionally, the presence of fishing vessels around the areas with orcas has energy costs on the orcas, as it interrupts hunting, decreases activity, and these energy costs have been linked to overall detrimental effects on the health, well-being, as well as lifespan of these mammals (Williams et al., 2006). These energy costs have also lent a hand in decreasing the population of orcas, which in turn leads to ecological disruptions in the ocean.

Another issue discovered has been the increase of toxins discovered inside the blubber of the orcas. These built-up toxins and pollutants have led to the early death of these orcas (Pitman et al., 2018).  It is believed that the source of these toxins comes from the prey that they have consumed, large fish from overcrowded fish farms. These fish, in particular salmon, have heavy bacterial growth and parasites, and after prolonged consumption of the fish, the toxins build up to a toxic level (Morton, 2008). This consequence for orcas could foreshadow the effect that the consumption of fish could have on us, and we should see this as a warning, and find a solution for more ethical and clean consumption of these fish rather than supporting this industry that has had so much detrimental effects on the population of killer whales.

The conservation efforts for the orcas should focus on the accessibility of food and the decrease of human disturbances. Ocean reserves for areas of the ocean may help restore the population of the species, prevent the extinction of orcas, and prevent the oceanic systems from falling apart. As humans, it is necessary to take these warning signs of other species seriously, to prevent irreversible consequences that could lead to the eventual extinction of our species. By creating more eco-friendly alternatives to commercialized fishing, and supporting the restoration of the populations of orcas through ocean reserves, it is possible to slow, or even reverse the adverse effects that humans have placed on nature, and in return, make it possible to imagine a less grim future.