Increased noise or boat traffic may cause whales to alter their behavior. There is evidence that humpback whales in Hawaii may have changed their use of near-shore waters where calves are raised by their mothers because of increasing human activity. Migrating bowhead whales may move further offshore to avoid human-caused noise. Although we do not have a full understanding of the possible impacts, pollution could also affect whales. Many contaminants are stored in a whale's blubber for long periods of time.
Pollutant loads are usually lower in baleen whales than in dolphins and porpoises.
National Marine Fisheries Service, Scientific Publications Office, Seattle, Washington.