Protecting the Arabian Sea Humpback Whale
The Arabian Sea humpback whale is one of the world’s most endangered whale populations. Unlike other humpback whale populations that migrate seasonally between feeding and breeding grounds, Arabian Sea humpback whales remain in the northern Indian Ocean year-round. This unique population has likely been isolated for thousands of years and faces increasing threats across its range.
The Arabian Sea Whale Network (ASWN) supports regional collaboration to improve understanding and conservation of marine mammals throughout the Arabian Sea. A central priority of the network is the protection of the Arabian Sea humpback whale through coordinated, science-based action.
As part of this commitment, ASWN regional members have worked with range-state government stakeholders to develop a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) to support coordinated conservation action for Arabian Sea humpback whales. Explore the factsheet below to learn more about the CMP, its objectives, and the benefits of regional conservation action.
Current Status
The Arabian Sea Whale Network is pleased to announce that the joint regional IWC-CMS Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been formally endorsed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee. The endorsement was published in the recently released Report of the IWC Scientific Committee 2026
The next steps will be consideration of the CMP by the IWC Commission at its meeting in Hobart, Australia, in September – October 2026. If adopted, implementation of the CMP is expected to begin in 2027 through a coordinated programme of conservation actions, governance structures, scientific advisory mechanisms, and regional collaboration.
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