1. Whale Population and Conservation
By: Steven Gilio

2. Whale Population
Trying to estimate whale populations is an inexact science.
Limited reliability in the numbers.

3. pre-whaling population estimate current population estimate
species/stock
pre-whaling population estimate
current population estimate
blue whale
160, ,000
9,000
bowhead whale
52,000-60,000
8,200
Bryde's whale
unknown
66,000-86,000
fin whale
300, ,000
123,000
gray whale (eastern Pacific stock)
15,000-20,000
21,000
gray whale (western Pacific stock)
1,500-10,000
gray whale (Atlantic stock)
extinct
humpback whale
150,000
25,000
Minke whale
unknown, but tens of thousands were killed during whaling era
850,000
northern right whale
no estimates, but tens of thousands were killed during whaling era
870-1,700 in the western Atlantic; very few in the Pacific.
sei whale
100,000
55,000
southern right whale
Sperm Whale
no estimate, but 40,000 were killed between 1785 and 1939
2,400,000
1500
1,950,000

4. Many Species Have Not Rebounded Well
Endangered whale species include:
Blue Whale
Bowhead Whale
Fin Whale
Humpback Whale
Killer Whale
Sperm Whale
Blue Whale
Sperm Whale

5. Right Whales
Only an estimated 350 remain

6. On the Rebound?
Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale has shown signs of recovery
Western North Pacific population still endangered.
Gray Whale

7. Historic Population Numbers in Question?
Some recent genetic research claims that historic populations of some whales such as Humpbacks, Fins, and Minkes were much larger than originally thought.
Minke
Fin Whale

8. Techniques for Estimating Whale Populations
Several techniques are employed in estimating the population of whale species.
They Include:

9. Acoustic and Visual Techniques
Using a combination of visual and acoustic techniques, researchers in Alaska are able to estimate the population of bowhead whales as they migrate north from their wintering area in the Bering Sea to their summer range in the Beaufort sea.
Bowhead Whale

10. Mark and Recapture
Photo-identification uses natural markings to identify individual animals over time.
Humpback

11. THREATS Cetaceans are under threat from: Ship Collisions
Toxic Contamination
Entanglement in Fishing Gear
Intensive oil and gas development in feeding grounds
Effects of Climate Change and Habitat Degradation
Whaling

12. Ship Collisions
Fatal collisions with ships have become a leading threat to whale survival. Ships strikes are on the rise, due to a combination of increasing coastal ship traffic, smaller crew size, bigger vessels and faster speeds. Deafening underwater noise levels also prevent whales from hearing approaching propellers:

13. Toxic Contamination
Chemical pollution is threatening whales with extinction in parts of Canada and the Pacific Ocean, and is poisoning their food source in the Antarctic.
Beluga Whale
Killer Whale

14. Entanglement
Almost 60,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises are killed each year worldwide by entanglement with fishing nets.
Cetacean Bycatch Action Network formed in 2002.

16. Oil and Gas Development
Oil and gas development operations disturb the feeding grounds of some whales.

17. Climate Change Potential Effects: Altered migration routes.
Decreased abundance and quality of prey.
Abandonment of critical habitat.
Increased susceptibility to infection and disease.

18. Habitat Degradation Potential Effects: Species Extinction.
Physical injury leading to infection.
Loss of critical breeding or feeding habitat.
Prey depletion
North Atlantic Right Whale

19. Whaling

20. The International Whaling Commission (IWC)
Established on December 2nd, 1946 by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
Since the 1980’s, the IWC has become the primary mechanism for the protection of all species of whale.
Currently 73 members, including the U.S.
IWC Logo

21. Other Conservation Organizations
American Cetacean Society.
Blue Dolphin Alliance.
Breach Marine Protection.
Cape Ann Whale Watch and Whale Conservation Institute.
Center for Coastal Studies.
Cetacean Society International.
Earth Island Institute.
Earthtrust.
Europe Conservation.
European Cetacean Society.
Great Whales Foundation.
Greenpeace International.
High North Alliance.
Institute of Cetacean Research.
International Fund for Animal Welfare.
International Marine Mammal Project.
International Whaling Commission.
International Wildlife Coalition.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust.
Ocean Alliance.
The Oceania Project.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Silent Network.
Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
Whale Center of New England.
Whale Information Network.
The Whale Rescue Team.
The Wild Dolphin Project.
The End