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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Robin McKie

THE TRUTH ABOUT: The squit and the whale can artificial faeces revive the ocean ecosystem - The Untold Story

The world’s whale population is only 5% of what it was estimated to be 400 years ago
The world’s whale population is only 5% of what it was estimated to be 400 years ago. Photograph: Design Pics Inc/Alamy

In a few weeks an international group of scientists will launch an unusual marine research project. They will dust the surface of the Indian Ocean with artificial whale faeces.

The aim of this excremental experiment is straightforward. It is to determine if it is possible to reboot marine ecosystems that have been starved of nutrients and in the process restore dwindling fish populations. It is also hoped the project will help in the battle against the climate crisis.

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