Melting Arctic ice has grave implications for the planet. It means rising sea levels and helps lock in higher temperatures — and it also has a dramatic effect on the marine life that has evolved to rely on an icy northern climate. Researchers examining 20 years of data on orca sightings have discovered a worrying trend linked to the receding ice, according to a study published in Frontiers in Marine Science.
What's happening?
Every year, off the Canadian coast, the southern edges of Arctic ice melt in the warmth of summer, then freeze again in winter. This cycle is normal.
However, what isn't normal is the way the cycle has changed with human-caused temperature increases all over the planet. Thanks to the hotter climate, the ice melts earlier and returns later — and not as much ice is refreezing each year, so the amount of Arctic ice is declining.
Enter orcas. They visit the coastal waters of Canada when it's warm enough for the ice covering the area to melt and leave when the area freezes.
Researchers examined sightings of these killer whales in the area from 2002 to 2023. Though the sightings are clustered around inhabited areas, the data is still clear: Orcas are spending almost twice as long in the area now as they were 20 years ago, increasing from 26 days to 48 days.
Why is orca migration important?
First, when any large predator moves around, it affects whole ecosystems.
"These findings underscore the prolonged seasonal use of Arctic regions by killer whales, driven by diminishing sea ice and expanding open-water habitat," the researchers said. "Such shifts highlight potential implications for Arctic marine ecosystems as killer whales increasingly overlap with endemic species."
In this case, the ecosystem in question and the predators themselves are ones many people rely on for food, including Indigenous peoples.
"The relevance of this work extends to both ecological research and the cultural and subsistence needs of Inuit communities that rely on Arctic marine mammals for food security," the researchers pointed out.
What's being done about receding Arctic ice?
Some companies, including Arctic Reflections, are looking for ways to generate more ice to cover the Arctic region.
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