ABSTRACT Cetaceans are indicators of ocean health, influence marine ecosystem dynamics and hold socio‐economic importance for coastal whaling communities. Yet whale–whaler relationships remain poorly understood and are increasingly compromised under the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Here, we briefly outline the importance of odontocete cetaceans (toothed whales) as indicators of ocean health and their roles in marine ecosystems. We then provide a perspective on key research needs to improve odontocete conservation amid these growing anthropogenic threats. Major knowledge gaps need to be addressed regarding how climate change affects odontocete distribution, trophic interactions and whaling practices. Pollution research on odontocetes should consider contaminants in the context of the nutritional, socio‐economic and cultural value of traditionally harvested species relative to range‐shifting odontocetes and other foods. To reveal anthropogenic impacts on odontocete population sustainability and biodiversity, cetologists should capitalize on new techniques including population genomics and aquatic telemetry at ocean‐wide scales. Finally, strong partnerships between local whaling communities and international‐scale research efforts are essential to address the scales at which these coupled systems interact to support sustainability of odontocetes and vulnerable human populations.
McKinney et al. (Sun,) studied this question.