10 June 2026, by Herr/Red.

Photo: privat

The University of Hamburg is the scientific home to more than 6,200 researchers. Every 2 weeks, we offer a glimpse into their work as part of the “Doing the research” series in the Hamburger Abendblatt. In the latest issue, Prof. Dr. Helena Herr explains what remaining mysteries about the largest mammals still need to be explored.

Sperm whales can dive to depths of up to 2,000 meters, fin whales can swim at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, and blue whales can weigh up to 200 tons. So it’s no surprise that these animals are incredibly fascinating—and not just to researchers like me. I find it particularly interesting just how important they are to the ecosystems in which they live. As predators, whales structure the food web, and their excrement serves as an energy source for phytoplankton. This primary production contributes to carbon sequestration in the ocean. This makes them a key factor in the fight against climate change.

Although marine science has been studying whales for centuries, many things about these animals remain unknown. For many whale species, we don’t even know how many individuals there are, why they occur where they do, or where their feeding grounds or mating areas are located. That’s exactly where my research comes in.

Fin whale populations are recovering

Put simply, you could say: I count whales and other marine mammals. But in practice, this is a real challenge, because first you have to actually spot the whales. That’s why we search from ships, airplanes, and helicopters, as well as using drones, create maps of their distribution, and calculate their numbers.

For example, my team and I were able to demonstrate that fin whale populations in Antarctica have been recovering since the end of whaling in 1976. The observed group sizes of up to 300 animals are unique in today’s world and were last described at the beginning of the 20th century, that is, at the start of whaling in Antarctica. For me personally, these observations were some of the most spectacular natural events I have ever seen.

In my ongoing research, we are also fitting fin whales with satellite transmitters to track their movement patterns and migration routes. As baleen whales, they undertake seasonal migrations, meaning they come to the known feeding grounds during the Antarctic summer and then move to their wintering grounds, where they mate and raise their calves. However, we do not yet know exactly where these areas are. Our initial measurements with the transmitters at least show that part of the population migrates to the Pacific. We haven’t yet been able to determine exactly where, as the transmitters haven’t transmitted for long enough.

Research is characterized by collaboration

Since our research subjects are extremely difficult to reach, whale research—especially in Antarctica—is naturally characterized by a strong emphasis on collaboration. We coordinate our expeditions and consult with international partners. It is also particularly important to share and consolidate collected data to maximize its value.

Current studies do show that many whale species are slowly recovering after being driven to the brink of extinction in the 20th century. There is therefore certainly hope that populations will grow again if sufficient protection is ensured. However, the animals in the world’s oceans are now facing new challenges head-on. The ever-increasing volume of shipping traffic is leading to more collisions, and the noise generated by ships is also a stressor for whales. Added to this is climate change, which is increasingly affecting whales through changes in the food web. Another new source of competition for whales in Antarctica is krill fishing, which is conducted on a large scale in the feeding grounds of fin whales.

These challenges necessitate new conservation and management strategies. Of course, this is not easy when dealing with animals that migrate across the oceans and spend most of their time outside national territorial waters. Through my research, I aim to help make good protection of whales possible and thereby make an important contribution to preserving the ocean ecosystem. Then, hopefully, my five-year-old daughter’s generation will also be able to experience what I always say: Whales are (everyone’s) happiness!

(This content has been translated automatically.)