Study Warns: Beaked Whales — the Ocean’s Most Elusive Giants — Face 14 Human Threats

Beaked whales — long considered safely remote — are being harmed by human activities

A paper published in Royal Society Open Science in April compiled 14 anthropogenic threats to beaked whales (family Ziphiidae), a group of 24 deep-diving species found in every ocean. Although these animals have long been thought protected by their remoteness and cryptic biology, the review shows that human impacts extend into the deep sea.

The study, led by Laura Feyrer of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, was based on a synthesis of scientific and gray literature. It ranked threats — including climate change (ocean acidification and marine heatwaves), plastic pollution, whaling, entanglement, oil spills and military sonar — into categories of serious, intermediate, moderate or unknown risk.

Serious threats include military sonar, plastics, entanglement in fishing gear and oil spills. The “serious” designation means at least one individual from a beaked whale species has been killed as a result of that threat. Military sonar, for example, has been linked to fatal mass strandings in eight beaked whale species worldwide.

“This pervasive reach of human influence, particularly plastics across a wildly large number of species, suggests that virtually no area of the world's oceans is untouched by human activity,” Feyrer told Phys.org.

The paper emphasizes that these threats can affect migration, growth, reproduction and survival across cetaceans and other marine organisms. Ziphiidae is the second-largest family of cetaceans after Delphinidae, yet their deep-sea habits and elusive behavior have long limited direct observations — making it harder to assess population trends and health.

The authors warn that the presence of microplastics and other human-driven harms in remote habitats raises broader concerns about biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Echoing wider scientific warnings, the paper cites Elizabeth Kolbert’s 2014 assessment of a possible sixth mass extinction, underscoring the urgency of action to limit species losses over coming generations.

What researchers recommend

Feyrer and colleagues call for more targeted research to improve knowledge of beaked whale populations, health and behavior, and for monitoring and regulation of human activities that harm them. Potential conservation responses include stricter controls on naval sonar use in sensitive areas, stronger protections to reduce bycatch and entanglement, measures to curb plastic pollution, and efforts to mitigate climate-driven ocean changes.

How individuals can help

While policy and industry action are essential, individuals can contribute by reducing single-use plastics (for example, switching to reusable water bottles), supporting marine conservation organizations, and sharing conservation values with friends and family to build broader public support for protective policies.