Hmm... I suspect that the operating Reynolds number has a lot to do with whether or not such things would help or hurt efficiency. Also, the airfoil shape matters quite a bit... this would only hurt the performance of laminar-flow airfoils. However, I'm sure most of us aren't carving laminar-flow blades in our garages
As whales move through the water, the tubercles disrupt the line of pressure against the leading edge of the flippers. The row of tubercles sheers the flow of water and redirects it into the scalloped valley between each tubercle, causing swirling vortices that roll up and over the flipper to actually enhance lift properties.
If this is the explanation, then the comments about vortex generators should also apply. Of course (like everything in aerodynamics), it's more than a matter of just sticking tabs on blades. I found a good article on generators some time ago: here.