Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth. And with their massive size, comes a massive appetite. These whales rely on tiny crustaceans called krill as their food source. But the vast and dynamic nature of the ocean can make it hard to locate a good meal. How do these gentle giants find food and survive?

To find out, MBARI scientists set up the Blue Whale Observatory, a unique network of acoustic instruments in Monterey Bay. The observatory records whale calls, krill swarm activity, and ocean conditions for four months straight every summer and fall when blue whales are most acoustically active in the area. The observatory's detailed recordings reveal more about the predator, prey, and environmental dynamics that drive blue whales’ behavior.

Findings from the Blue Whale Observatory can inform efforts to protect endangered whales and open up possibilities for studying other marine species in a similar way. Learning more about the dynamics of ocean life—from the tiniest krill to the largest whale—can help us become better stewards of our blue planet.

Learn more about the Blue Whale Observatory at: https://www.mbari.org/project/blue-wh...

Senior producer, writer, narrator, deployment footage videographer, video editor, & motion designer: Madeline Go
Science advisors: Will Oestreich and John Ryan
Production team: Heidi Cullen, Larissa Lemon, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun

Special thanks to Jeremy Goldbogen for providing the feeding blue whale footage, Elliott Hazen for the blue whale drone footage, and Monterey Bay Aquarium for additional ocean footage.

Check out MBARI for more: https://www.mbari.org/
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