The Songs That Saved The Giants

May 06, 2025

In a world often filled with negative news, it's important to recognize stories of positive change and find inspiration in the collective efforts of others who are dedicated to protecting our planet.

I wanted to share a remarkable story of how a seemingly simple act, the release of a 1970 album featuring the songs of humpback whales, profoundly changed the survival of an entire species. This extraordinary recording, a collaboration between Roger Payne, Katie Payne, and Frank Watlington, remains the best-selling nature sounds recording of all time, a testament to its powerful impact.

Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales were hunted as early as the late 16th century. Their predictable coastal presence made them particularly vulnerable to whaling ships, and over four relentless decades, both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere populations were decimated, dwindling to a shockingly estimated low of just 7,000 individuals.

However, in the 1960s a few dedicated individuals ignited a movement for change, harnessing the emotive power of these whales songs. Among them was the American biologist Roger Payne (1935-2023). His initial, deeply affecting encounter with a stranded and tragically abused dolphin solidified his resolve to focus his research on cetaceans. His pursuit led him to Bermuda, where a Navy researcher shared tape recordings of mysterious and haunting sounds emanating from the deep ocean. Utilizing hydrophones, Payne and his colleagues made the groundbreaking discovery that these sounds were the complex songs of humpback whales, revealing intricate patterns that would repeat every 10 to 20 minutes. Payne and his wife Katy were the first to scientifically demonstrate that whales utilize sound for communication, with humpbacks possessing the unique ability to create these elaborate and ever-evolving songs. Remarkably, within a single breeding season, an entire group of whales would sing the same song, which would then subtly transform with slight variations in the following year's breeding cycle.

These ancient melodies, predating humanity's presence on Earth, have echoed through the vast oceans for an estimated 50 million years.

Deeply inspired by the beauty and intricate complexity of these underwater songs, Payne decided he had to share this with the world in the form of an album. The release of this album of whale songs led to its widespread distribution and airplay. Its influence even extended into popular culture, with iconic figures like Bob Dylan incorporating the whale sounds into his concerts. Singer-songwriter Judy Collins created an a cappella duet with the whales in a traditional whaling song, which appeared on her acclaimed 1971 album "Whales and Nightingales," selling half a million copies and igniting a broader public awareness and concern. Soon after, the environmental organization Greenpeace began incorporating the whale songs into their campaigns, and eventually, National Geographic further amplified their reach by distributing an astounding 10 million copies.

The world listened, and prominent naturalists and filmmakers like David Attenborough and Jacques Cousteau created popular and influential documentaries that brought these magnificent creatures into the living rooms of millions. Activists organized widespread boycotts targeting whaling operations, and concerned citizens took to the streets in passionate protest against the continued slaughter.

These collective efforts and increased global awareness culminated in a landmark decision. In 1986, the International Whaling Commission issued a ban on commercial whaling, although regrettably, a few nations, including Iceland, Norway, and Japan, continue to issue permits for whaling activities under the guise of scientific research and commercial interests.

Driven by his unwavering commitment to these ocean giants, Payne went on to establish Ocean Alliance, the world's first organization dedicated solely to the comprehensive protection of whales and their delicate marine environment.

Now, half a century later, the population of humpback whales has achieved a remarkable recovery, in some areas nearing their estimated pre-whaling abundance. The Australian East coast population, in particular, has demonstrated the most rapid and significant rebound, creating exciting opportunities for sustainable whale-watching tourism that benefits local communities and fosters appreciation for these animals. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that this positive recovery has not been uniform across all whale species. An example is the Southern Right Whale population, which continues to remain significantly below its pre-whaling levels, causing considerable concern among scientists regarding their long-term survival. This underscores the critical importance of understanding that each species responds differently to environmental pressures and human activities. While humpback whales have shown incredible resilience, other whale species may require more focused research and conservation efforts to fully understand and mitigate the impacts of human activities on their survival rates.

Whales play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our oceans and our planet as a whole. Because of their size, they contribute to nutrient cycling as their movements help distribute essential nutrients throughout the water, supporting diverse ecosystems. Their waste fertilizes phytoplankton, microscopic marine algae that are responsible for producing 50% of the Earth’s oxygen.

Furthermore, when whales dive deep and then resurface, they release large amounts of carbon-rich waste. The waste sinks to the ocean floor, effectively capturing carbon and combatting climate change. This process, also known as “whale pump”, shows that these majestic creatures actively contribute to regulating the planet’s climate.

Beyond nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, whales also help maintain the balance of the marine food web by influencing the populations of other marine species. By supporting biodiversity, they contribute to the overall resilience of ocean ecosystems. Whale populations serve as key indicators of ocean health, reflecting the condition of marine environments and making them vital for conservation efforts.

Protecting these magnificent creatures is essential, not only for their survival but also for ours.