Massive blue whale population found in proposed seabed mining areaDOC Whales and the oil and gas industry have co-existed in Taranaki for decades. Blue whales - the world's largest animal - have been found in abundant numbers in a proposed seabed mining area in Taranaki. SUPPLIED A baby blue whale filmed nursing off the Taranaki coast observed by Leigh Torres and her crew last year was likely a world-first. Torres, a professor from Oregon State University professor who has carried out research in Taranaki waters in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, said seabed mining will have a severe impact on the whale population in the area. When they applied last year the EPA saw a record number of submissions flood in against the proposal - more than 17,000 - in an effort spearheaded by New Zealand anti-mining group Kiwis Against Seabed Mining.

Source: Stuff February 22, 2017 03:00 UTC