What Whales Reveal About the Ocean We Want

Most of us fall for the ocean long before we know anything about it. It might start with a favorite childhood movie, a trip to the aquarium, finding a cool shell on the beach, or seeing a dolphin pop up beside a boat. We don't need to know all the science stuff—like how ecosystems work, where animals migrate, what they eat, or how to protect them—to feel amazed by the ocean. But feeling amazed is just the start.

This week, we're highlighting an episode of The Story Collider called Balaena: Stories About Whales. In it, Brittany Munson shares how her childhood dream of training killer whales took a surprising turn, making her think about what it really means to care for an animal. Then, there's Maya Santangelo, a marine scientist and diver, who talks about visiting an old whaling shipwreck in Antarctica — she didn't expect much, but what she found was amazing, with lots of interesting ecology and history.

Munson's journey starts with a movie that would change her life — Free Willy. As a kid, she was captivated by orcas, and after watching a whale show at SeaWorld, she knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up: work with these amazing animals. She began to learn everything she could about them, from their names and markings to their unique personalities and family stories. It seemed like her future was all mapped out.

As time passed, her admiration for whales started to get more complex. She begins to wonder if people are more interested in being entertained by them than in making sure they're okay. Letting go of her childhood dream is tough because it's a big part of who she is, but it also leads her to a new path. She starts studying aquatic biology, works as a naturalist, and becomes a science communicator. Eventually, she gets to see orcas living in their natural habitat. Her love for whales doesn't go away; it just becomes more informed and meaningful. She learns more about them and understands the importance of caring for them.

This new path allows her to make a positive impact on the whales' lives, which is something she's always wanted to do. Evolution is really important for science and taking care of our planet. When we learn more about an animal, it can get complicated. We might have to rethink what we thought we knew about it. This can mean changing how we do things, thinking about what's best for the animal, not just what we want. Just being inspired by nature isn't enough; we need to make sure we're taking care of it too.

Santangelo's story starts with a surprise. She thinks an old shipwreck will be boring, with no life, compared to the animals she normally studies. But when she dives down, she sees how people's history and the ocean's ecosystem are connected. A ship that was once used to hunt whales is now home to many creatures, showing how nature can take over what people have left behind. It's a mix of how humans have hurt the ocean and how the ocean can heal itself. The shipwreck is like a window into the past, with clues about what people did and how the ocean has changed.

The ocean is a complex place, full of surprises. On one hand, it's really strong and can bounce back from things that happen to it. But on the other hand, it's not invincible - it can still get hurt. For example, when a ship sinks, it can become a home for fish and other creatures, but it's still a reminder of what happened in the past. Similarly, whales can start to thrive again if we leave them alone and protect them, but it takes a long time and a lot of effort from everyone involved. And while seeing a wild animal up close can be a life-changing experience for someone, making sure those animals are safe and healthy requires years of hard work, study, and cooperation from lots of people.

SciLight has returned often to the importance of those systems. Ocean science helps us understand climate patterns, fisheries, marine biodiversity, coastal hazards, and changes occurring far below the surface. Recent SciLight coverage has examined threats to ocean-observing infrastructure and the need for sustained science-based leadership on ocean and climate policy.

Much of what goes on in the ocean is hidden below the surface, which is why it’s so crucial to keep a close eye on it. Scientists use all sorts of tools, like research ships, satellites, buoys, and special underwater instruments, to track what's happening. They also study animals and look at data over time to figure out what's changing. If these systems aren't working right, we don't just miss out on some information - we also lose our ability to spot problems early on and make smart decisions about what to do. This is a big deal, because the ocean is a complex system and changes can happen quickly. By keeping a close eye on the ocean, scientists can help us understand what's going on and make sure we're taking care of this important resource.

Munson and Santangelo show us another form of observation: the kind that changes the observer. One storyteller learns that loving whales may mean allowing them to remain beyond our reach. The other finds that an apparently empty place can hold life, memory, and consequences she had not expected. Both emerge with a deeper understanding of an ocean more complex than they imagined. That is what science can do at its best. It does not take wonder away. It gives wonder responsibility.

The Story Collider draws us into a personal moment that reveals the wonder of the ocean and the creatures that depend on it. SciLight widens the lens, connecting that experience to the science, institutions, and policy choices that will determine what comes next. Together, these stories move us beyond admiration and toward action, reminding us that the future of whales—and the ecosystems they call home—depends on the decisions we make today.

Check out Balaena for some amazing stories about whales. You'll also find true, personal stories about science from The Story Collider, which are really worth reading. Don’t forget to catch The Story Collider’s live shows around the country this summer. In addition, you can read the following related stories from SciLight:Waiving the Endangered Species Act Is an Abdication of Our Responsibility
The article looks at how science can help us figure out if human activities are hurting the environment and crossing lines that they shouldn't.

Scrapping a State-of-the-Art Ocean Sentinel System
By explaining why sustained ocean observation matters for marine ecosystems, fisheries, weather, climate, and coastal communities, this article explains how science is required to understand an ocean largely out of public view.U.S. States Step Up as Federal Leadership Lags on Ocean-Climate Policy
This piece from SciLight connects marine conservation to ocean acidification, climate change, fisheries, monitoring, and state-level leadership.

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