February 2026
By Fernanda Rangel, Staff Reporter
Have you ever heard of World Whale Day? In this short piece, I’ll explain what it is, how it began, why it’s important, as well as how it’s celebrated.
World Whale Day is an annual celebration held on the third Sunday in February, with related events often spanning the whole week. In 2026, it falls on February 15. The day promotes awareness and conservation of whales, highlights threats such as pollution and hunting, and celebrates the vital role whales play in ocean ecosystems. Over the last 40 years, it has become an international day to celebrate all whales and to raise awareness of the risks they face.
The event originated in Maui, Hawaii, in 1980, when Greg Kauffman of the Pacific Whale Foundation spread awareness to the public about the importance of whales, the threats they face (habitat loss, pollution, climate change, whaling), and ways to protect them. Every year, the fishing industry dumps around 800,000 tons of fishing gear into the sea, much of which will last for over 600 years. These ropes, fishing nets, and lines can cause significant damage to whales, wrapping around their bodies until they are entangled. This puts whales at risk of injury and at worst drowning. They are also at risk from ship strikes. Larger ships may not even be aware that they have hit a whale, let alone have been able to avoid it.
These strikes are also common across whale-watching boats. That’s why attending a whale heritage site is a much safer way to admire these marine mammals safely.
Whales help maintain ocean health, influencing nutrient cycles and sequestering carbon. Their deep dives and eventual sinking help store carbon for centuries, aiding in climate regulation. World Whale Day serves as a global call to action, moving beyond mere celebration to encourage tangible support for research, habitat protection, and responsible ocean stewardship.
Ways people celebrate educational talks and volunteer activities especially in Hawaii where humpbacks migrate to breed. More globally known events are parades, festivals (especially the Maui Whale Festival with music, art, and education), workshops, cleanups, and advocacy to protect whales. People participate by attending events, engaging in citizen science (like the Great Whale Count), supporting conservation groups, and taking personal action like reducing plastic, highlighting the need for stronger protections for endangered species.
You can participate in World Whale Day, you can educate yourself and others about whales and their role in the ocean ecosystem. Minimize plastic use and waste to protect marine environments. Donate to or support organizations like the Pacific Whale Foundation or WWF. You can also advocate Contact legislators for stronger whale protections or support sustainable seafood. Support operators using whale-safe methods.
8 facts about whales
- There are two different types of whales. Baleen whales filter krill and plankton from the water while toothed whales eat larger animals such as fish and squid.
- Whales can pass on ‘culture’ to other whales in the form of behaviours and songs.
- Whales are highly agile in water. The Beluga whale can even swim backwards.
- Whales need to surface to breathe. They can drown if they get caught in fishing nets or plastic waste in the ocean.
- Some whales, such as the Bowhead whale, can live for over 200 years.
- Whales play an essential role in keeping the oceans healthy and mitigating the effects of climate change.
- While commercial whaling used to be the biggest danger to whales, entanglement, pollution, and ship strikes pose the largest threats in modern times.
- Visiting a whale world heritage site is the best way to responsibly and sustainably watch whales in the wild.
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