TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠI

KHOA KINH TẾ & KINH DOANH QUỐC TẾ



DISCUSSION
SUBJECT: ENGLISH 3
TOPIC: THE ENDANGERMENT OF BLUE WHALES

LECTURER : HAN THI BICH NGOC

GROUP : 07
CLASS : 232_ENTH1611_18

Hanoi, March 2024

Index
MEETING MINUTES(1) – GROUP 7
MEETING MINUTES(2) – GROUP 7
INTRODUCTION
BODY
1. Overview
1.1.Introducing the blue whales
1.1.1. Characteristics and living environment
1.1.2. Diet and longevity
1.2.Conservation status of blue whales
2. The endangered of blue whales
2.1.Commercial hunting
2.2.Collision with ships
2.3.Marine pollution
2.4.Noise pollution
3. Propose solutions to preserve blue whales
CONCLUSION
NEW WORDS
DOCUMENTATION

GROUP DISCUSSION

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 ENGLISH 3
Topic: THE ENDANGERMENT OF BLUE WHALES
Group: 07 Class: 232_ENTH1611_18
Teacher: Han Thi Bich Ngoc
Preparation assessment: List of students (in the order of presenting)
No. Name (for students) Duties Mark ( for Mark
the leader)
1 Luong Thi Thuy Nhan 1.2 + 2.1 A
2 Ha Linh Nhi PPT A
3 Le Cam Nhung Introduce + 1.1 A
4 Nguyen Thi Oanh (NT) Conclusion+Word A
5 Nguyen Quang Phu 2.4 + 3 A
6 Pham Thi Phuong 2.2 + 2.3 A

MEETING MINUTES (1) – GROUP 7

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Time: from 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Place: Google meet
Date: 12/3/2024
Members: Luong Thi Thuy Nhan, Ha Linh Nhi, Le Cam Nhung, Nguyen Thi Oanh,
Nguyen Quang Phu, Pham Thi Phuong
Contents for discussing:
- Contributing ideas related to: THE ENDANGERMENT OF BLUE WHALES
- Dividing the task of searching for topics and information
Conclusion:
- Choose a topic to discuss.
- Choose a name for the topic of discussion: The endangerment of blue whales
- Stages of the theme:
+) Introducing the blue whales
+) The endangered of blue whales
+) Propose solutions to preserve blue whales
Duties for members: Think and choose the most suitable topic out of the suggestions
above to decide.

Head of the team

Nguyen Thi Oanh

MEETING MINUTES (2) – GROUP 7

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Time: from 22:30 p.m to 23:30 p.m
Place: Google meet online
Date: 15/3/2024
Members: Luong Thi Thuy Nhan, Ha Linh Nhi, Le Cam Nhung, Nguyen Thi Oanh,
Nguyen Quang Phu, Pham Thi Phuong
Contents for discussing:
- Contributing ideas related to The endangerment of blue whales.
- Dividing the task of searching for topics and information
Conclusion:
- Stages of the theme:
Overview
- Introducing the blue whales
+) Characteristics and living environment
+) Diet and longevity
- Conservation status of blue whales
Body
- The endangered of blue whales
+) Commercial hunting
+) Collision with ships
+) Marine pollution
+) Noise pollution
- Propose solutions to preserve blue whales
Head of the team
Nguyen Thi Oanh

OUTLINE

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INTRODUCTION
Hello everyone, we are the 7th group, our group includes 6 members with Oanh as the
leader, next is me - Cam Nhung, Thuy Nhan, Linh Nhi, Phu, Phuong. Today, our group
would like to present on the topic: "The endangerment of blue whales". With 3 main
parts, first, an overview about blue whale species. Second part is about the danger of
extinction that this species faced. And the last part will be some solutions to preserve blue
whales.
BODY
1. Overview
1.1. Introducing the blue whales
1.1.1. Characteristics and living environment
Blue Whales are the largest mammals that have ever existed on Earth, with the length
reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet) and the weight is up to 200 tons. They are the biggest
animal that surpasses all other species in the world.
Blue whales belong to a large family of whales, an integral part of the cetacean order,
Cetacea. This order notably includes not only whales but also dolphins and porpoises,
examples of the vast diversity within this group of aquatic mammals. Despite their
massive bodies, which are considered a wonder of the natural world, blue whales sustain
their lives largely on krill – tiny crustaceans – along with a variety of plankton. other. It is
worth noting that these giants of the ocean consume about 4 tons of this species every
day.
Interestingly, blue whales have developed an extremely complex communication
network, characterized by the use of extremely powerful sounds. These sounds are not
only a testament to whales' complex social behavior but also their evolutionary
adaptability, as these sounds are capable of traveling thousands of miles across ocean
depths. . This advanced acoustic signaling mechanism allows them to maintain
connection, coordinate movements over vast distances, and navigate the vast and often
murky marine environments they inhabit. Through this lens, the blue whale not only
fascinates us with its enormous size but also with its complex behaviors and the delicate
intricacies of its existence beneath the waves.
1.1.2. Diet and longevity
Blue Whales eat krill for living. Blue whales can consume up to 40 tons of prey daily
during the summer months in cold, food-rich waters. Although Blue Whales eat huge
amounts of food in the summer, they eat almost nothing when they move to warmer
waters in the winter.

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An adult blue whale can consume up to 40 million krill a day. They always forage in
areas with the highest density of krill, sometimes consuming up to 3,600 kilograms
(7,900 lb) of krill in a single day. The energy requirement for an adult blue whale is about
1.5 million kilocalories. Blue whales' food consumption fluctuates seasonally. They often
have to consume large quantities of krill in the cold, food-rich waters of Antarctica's
waters before moving to warmer waters near the equator to breed.
The lifespan of a Blue Whale is usually about 70 to 90 years, but can be longer if they are
not exposed to major environmental threats or challenges. The longevity of blue whales,
like many other whale species, can be influenced by the following factors:
 Habitat: Blue whales typically live in ocean environments, where they face factors
such as marine pollution, collisions with boats, and competition with humans.
These factors can reduce their lifespan.
 Food: Access to and consumption of food can affect the growth and health of blue
whales. If they have a rich enough food source and do not have difficulty hunting
krill and small fish, their lifespan may be longer.
 Illness and injury: Like all living things, blue whales can also become infected or
experience trauma from collisions, leading to a reduction in their lifespan.
 Genetic factors: There is variation in lifespan among individual blue whales. Some
may live longer due to genetics or other factors.
1.2. Conservation status of blue whales
Blue whales are considered large creatures, however they are not protected from the
threat. Before the 20th century, blue whales existed in large numbers in most of the
world's oceans. But over the past 100 years, they were hunted to near extinction until
protected by international law in 1966.
Blue whales have been protected from hunting by the IWC since 1966, and today some
populations appear to be recovering at rates of up to 7% per year11. But many
populations appear to still be small, and others are difficult to study due to their diffuse
distribution in offshore waters. Globally, the species is listed as Endangered on the
IUCN Red List, and under Appendix 1 on the Convention on Migratory Species CMS.
The Antarctic subspecies is listed as Critically Endangered due to the fact that the current
estimated population is still less than 1% of its original pre-whaling size12. Blue whales
are protected under both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection
Act. NOAA Fisheries is working to protect this species in many ways.
 Recovery Action: Under the ESA, NOAA Fisheries is required to develop and
implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of listed species. The
ultimate goal of the Blue Whale Recovery Plan is to recover the species, with an
interim goal of downlisting its status from endangered to threatened.
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  Implement blue elephant recovery plan strategies: is to maintain the ban on
international commercial hunting enacted in 1986; provides a strategy to improve
our understanding of how potential threats may limit blue whale recovery; identify
actions to mitigate any threats identified as limiting recovery.
 Collaborative and multi-sectoral programs to raise awareness of threats and
actions that can be taken to address them, including bycatch, ship strikes, ocean
noise, marine debris and chemical pollution.
2. The endangered of blue whales
2.1. Commercial hunting
Whaling began in prehistoric times and was initially restricted to near-shore marine areas.
Although prehistoric hunting is often considered to have had a low ecological impact, the
hunting of Arctic elephants has transformed freshwater ecology. The development of
modern whaling techniques increased in the 19th century due to the increased demand for
whale oil, and in the 20th century due to the demand for whale meat. Hunting of green
gourami fish is divided into two types: accidental hunting and indiscriminate hunting.
 Accident hunting: This represents one of the most notorious, serious, unpleasant
and even delicate reasons, because without proper control. This whale, like many
others, remains trapped in the nets of big businessmen making their big catch.
They were brutally mistreated until they later committed suicide. Not to mention
the damage caused to the endangered blue whale, as well as other fish species that
suffer the same misfortune.
 Indiscriminate hunting: indiscriminate hunting of the endangered blue whale, with
the goal of harvesting its meat, as well as its oil, for profit. Keep in mind that this
work is completely illegal, but inexplicably remains a popular practice. Among the
countries that practice it according to reports, reports, publications, data, studies
and others. Conducted without any respect for the species and the damage they
cause. Also, ignoring the law, which implies that it is for scientific work, they are
the following: Japan, Iceland and Norway.
2.2. Collision with ships
Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, face a critical threat from collisions with ships,
particularly in busy shipping lanes. Their sheer size and relatively slow swimming speed
render them highly vulnerable to such accidents. These majestic creatures, despite their
immense strength, are no match for the massive vessels traversing the world's oceans.
The consequences of these collisions are dire, often resulting in severe injuries or
fatalities for the blue whales involved.

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The impact of ship strikes on blue whales is exacerbated by their already endangered
status. With their populations dwindling due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, and
climate change, every individual loss further jeopardizes the species' survival. These
collisions not only cause immediate harm but also hinder the recovery efforts for blue
whale populations worldwide.
Collisions between ships and whales can have serious impacts on both the vessels and the
whales. Ships often collide with whales while passing through areas where whales are
present, and this is a leading cause of whale injuries or deaths.
In 2019, a collision between a container ship and a whale occurred in the Gulf of
Quiberon, France, resulting in the death of the whale and severe damage to the ship. In
2018, a minke whale died after colliding with a container ship in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Ship-whale collisions occur worldwide and have sparked debates on how to minimize the
impact of ships on whales. Measures to protect whales include reducing ship speed when
passing through whale habitats, using sensor technologies to detect whales and avoid
collisions, and enhancing monitoring and management of whale habitats.
2.3. Marine pollution
Marine pollution indeed poses a significant threat to blue whales and contributes to their
risk of extinction. The contamination of marine environments by various pollutants, such
as plastic debris, chemical contaminants, and oil spills, has detrimental effects on the
health and well-being of blue whales.
One of the most concerning impacts of marine pollution on blue whales is the decline in
their food sources. Pollution can disrupt marine ecosystems, leading to the depletion of
plankton populations, which are the primary food source for many whale species,
including blue whales. As a result, blue whales may face food shortages and nutritional
deficiencies, affecting their overall health and reproductive success.
Furthermore, exposure to pollutants can directly harm blue whales' health and
reproductive capabilities. Chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals and industrial
chemicals, can accumulate in the bodies of blue whales through the food chain, leading to
various health problems, including immune system suppression, reproductive disorders,
and even cancer. These adverse effects can further exacerbate the vulnerability of blue
whales and hinder their ability to sustain viable populations.
2.4. Noise pollution
The noise pollution affects so much to the behavior and the heath of bluc whale. Blue
whales use sound to communicate with each other over long distances. Noise pollution
from boats, sonar, underwater construction activities,... can mask their cry, making it

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difficult to find a mate, coordinate hunting and migration. This leads to more frequent
strandings of whales. Besides, loud noises can be stressful for blue whales, leading to
increased hormone levels. Stress can affect the immune system, reproduction, and overall
health of whales. Long-term exposure to loud noises can cause permanent hearing
damage to blue whales. This can affect their ability to communicate, locate, and detect
their preys. Afterward, blue whales can change their behavior to avoid noise, for example
moving to deeper waters or changing feeding times. This can affect their ability to feed,
reproduce and survive. Several studies have shown blue whales in the North Atlantic
changed their calls to become louder and have higher frequencies to compensate for noise
from boats. Another study found that blue whales in the Mediterranean have higher levels
of the hormone cortisol than whales living in less noisy waters.
3. Propose solutions to preserve blue whales
There are many ways to preserve blue whales. Here is some ways I propose. Firstly, I
suggest hunting restrictions. Goverment complete ban on blue whale hunting worldwide,
strictly enforce international law on whale protection. Next to, I propose to reduce
environmental pollution. Human should limit noise pollution from boats, underwater
construction activities and sonar. We can minimize water pollution from agricultural,
industrial and domestic activities. Also people can remove the plastic waste and other
pollutants from the marine environment. The third is habitat protection. We can do
something such as establish marine reserves to protect blue whale habitat, limit excessive
exploitation of marine resources, protecting mangrove forests and other coastal
ecosystems has an important role to play in maintaining biodiversity. The last is
awareness of people on Earth. Government should raise public awareness of the
importance of protecting blue whales, educate people about the impact of environmental
pollution and whaling on blue whale life, encourage people to participate in blue whale
protection activities. By taking action together, we can protect blue whales and ensure the
survival of this amazing animal for future generations.
CONCLUSION
The blue whale is considered a 'carbon absorption giant' in the animal world and is worth
the equivalent of thousands of trees. However, they are currently facing the risk of
extinction. These threats are mostly caused by humans. People hunt indiscriminately for
commercial purposes, causing the number of blue whales to decrease, dumping trash into
the sea, causing sea pollution, destroying the habitat of blue whales, using boats at sea
causing collisions, creating Loud noise affects the health of blue whales,... To protect
blue whales from extinction, which is also protecting our lives, everyone should raise
awareness of the importance of conservation and joint action to protect blue whales in
general and endangered animals in particular.

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NEW WORDS
Words Definition Vietnamese meaning
Absorption (n) the process of taking something into Hấp thụ
another substance
Collisions (n) an accident that happens when two Sự va chạm
vehicles hit each other with force
Restriction (n) an official limit on something Hạn chế, giảm
Mediterranean (n) the sea surrounded by southern Europe, Địa Trung Hải
North Africa, and Western Asia
Immune system (n) the cells and tissues in the body that make Hệ miễn dịch
it able to protect itself against infection
Exposure (n) the fact of experiencing something or Phơi bày
being affected by it because of being in a
particular situation or place
Detrimental effects causing harm or damage Có hại, gây hại
(a)
Plankton (n) very small plants and animals that float on Sinh vật phù du
the surface of the sea and on which other
sea animals feed
Jeopardizes (v) put something such as a plan or system in Gây nguy hiểm
danger of being harmed or damaged
Gulf (n) a very large area of sea surrounded on Vịnh
three sides by a coast
Prehistoric (n) describing the period before there were Thời tiền sử
written records
Indiscriminate (a) not showing careful choice or planning, Bừa bãi
especially so that harm results
Inexplicably (a) unable to be explained or understood Khó hiểu
Krill (n) very small animals with a hard outer shell Loài nhuyễn thể
that live in the sea and are eaten in large
numbers by some types of whale
Fluctuates (v) to change, especially continuously and Dao động
between one level or thing and another
Crustaceans (n) any of various types of animal that live in Động vật giáp xác
water and have a hard outer shell

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DOCUMENTATION
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09570-6
https://iwc.int/about-whales/whale-species/blue-whale
https://iwc.int/management-and-conservation
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/blue-whale/conservation-management
https://www.postposmo.com/vi/c%C3%A1-voi-xanh-c%C3%B3-nguy-c%C6%A1-tuy
%E1%BB%87t-ch%E1%BB%A7ng/
https://www.fairplanet.org/story/endangered-species-blue-whale/
https://uk.whales.org/our-goals/create-healthy-seas/ocean-pollution/

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