Phillip Clapham, Sharon Young, Robert L. Brownell Jr
Baleen whales: conservation issues and the status of the most endangered populations Journal Article
In: Mammal Review, vol. 29 , no. 69, pp. 35-60, 1999.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: abundance, Arabian Sea, Arctic, Balaena mysticetus, baleen whale, baleen whales, Blue whale, bowhead whale, bowhead whales, conservation, contaminants, disease, endangered, Entanglement, Eubalaena glacialis, fishing gear, gray whales, habitat degradation, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, mortality, Okhotsk Sea, population, populations, right whale, right whales, ship-strike, southern right whales, status, stocks, whale, whales, whaling
@article{,
title = {Baleen whales: conservation issues and the status of the most endangered populations },
author = {Phillip Clapham, Sharon Young, Robert L. Brownell Jr},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2907.1999.00035.x},
year = {1999},
date = {1999-01-01},
urldate = {1999-01-01},
journal = {Mammal Review},
volume = {29 },
number = {69},
pages = {35-60},
abstract = {Most species of baleen whales were subject to intensive overexploitation by commercial whaling in this and previous centuries, and many populations were reduced to small fractions of their original sizes. Here, we review the status of baleen whale stocks, with an emphasis on those that are known or thought to be critically endangered. Current data suggest that, of the various threats potentially affecting baleen whales, only entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes may be significant at the population level, and then only in those populations which are already at critically low abundance. The impact of some problems (vessel harassment, and commercial or aboriginal whaling) is at present probably minor. For others (contaminants, habitat degradation, disease), existing data either indicate no immediate cause for concern, or are insufficient to permit an assessment. While the prospect for many baleen whales appears good, there are notable exceptions: populations that are of greatest concern are those suffering from low abundance and associated problems, including (in some cases) anthropogenic mortality. These include: all Northern Right N hales Eubalaena glacialis. Bowhead Whales Balaena mysticetus of the Okhotsk Sea and various eastern Arctic populations. western Gray Whales Eschrichtius robustus, and probably many Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus populations. We review the status of these populations and. where known, the issues potentially affecting their recovery. Although Humpback Whales Megaptera novaeangliae and Southern Right Whales Eubalaena australis were also heavily exploited by whaling. existing data indicate strong recovery in most studied populations of these species.},
keywords = {abundance, Arabian Sea, Arctic, Balaena mysticetus, baleen whale, baleen whales, Blue whale, bowhead whale, bowhead whales, conservation, contaminants, disease, endangered, Entanglement, Eubalaena glacialis, fishing gear, gray whales, habitat degradation, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, mortality, Okhotsk Sea, population, populations, right whale, right whales, ship-strike, southern right whales, status, stocks, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Most species of baleen whales were subject to intensive overexploitation by commercial whaling in this and previous centuries, and many populations were reduced to small fractions of their original sizes. Here, we review the status of baleen whale stocks, with an emphasis on those that are known or thought to be critically endangered. Current data suggest that, of the various threats potentially affecting baleen whales, only entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes may be significant at the population level, and then only in those populations which are already at critically low abundance. The impact of some problems (vessel harassment, and commercial or aboriginal whaling) is at present probably minor. For others (contaminants, habitat degradation, disease), existing data either indicate no immediate cause for concern, or are insufficient to permit an assessment. While the prospect for many baleen whales appears good, there are notable exceptions: populations that are of greatest concern are those suffering from low abundance and associated problems, including (in some cases) anthropogenic mortality. These include: all Northern Right N hales Eubalaena glacialis. Bowhead Whales Balaena mysticetus of the Okhotsk Sea and various eastern Arctic populations. western Gray Whales Eschrichtius robustus, and probably many Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus populations. We review the status of these populations and. where known, the issues potentially affecting their recovery. Although Humpback Whales Megaptera novaeangliae and Southern Right Whales Eubalaena australis were also heavily exploited by whaling. existing data indicate strong recovery in most studied populations of these species.
Alling,G.,Gordon,J.,Rotton,N.,Whitehead,H.
Indian Ocean Sperm Whale study, 1981 - 1982 interim report Technical Report
no. 281, 1982.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: behaviour, dolphin, dolphins, Eubalaena glacialis, Fisheries, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, objectives, Oman, physeter, population, populations, sanctuaries, sperm whale, sperm whales, survey, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Indian Ocean Sperm Whale study, 1981 - 1982 interim report},
author = {Alling,G.,Gordon,J.,Rotton,N.,Whitehead,H.},
year = {1982},
date = {1982-01-01},
number = {281},
pages = {1-43},
publisher = {WWF},
abstract = {The establishment of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1979 gave whale science an opportunity and a challenge: the opportunity to study protected whale; and the challenge to show that whale populations can be monitored purely through studies of living animals. The sperm whale (Physeter catodon), is commercially the most important, and the most numerous, large whale. It may be a significant link in the food web on account of returning nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface through its faeces. Analysis of the composition of sperm whale catches suggests that the sperm whale possesses a unique and interesting social system (Best 1979), a thorough knowledge of which is essential if these exceptional animals are to be properly protected.It was thus appropriate to carry out a study of the behaviour of the sperm whales in the Indian Ocean, principally using the methods developed on living right, grey and humpback whales, and the money raised by WWF-Netherlands. In order to obtain significant results it was thought necessary to have three field seasons of several months each.As very little was known of the whales of the Indian Ocean the first season consisted of a survey of those parts of the NW Indian Ocean which might have been suitable for studying sperm whales. During the survey methods of studying living sperm whales were to be developed, and other whales, dolphins, and marine mammal fisheries examined as circumstances permitted. From this survey we were to decide on the most suitable area and methods for studying sperm whales in subsequent seasons. We were also to recommend which other marine mammal research projects in the area should be undertaken, either as part of our project or separately.We report here on the first field season. Because of the deadline (within two weeks of the end of the field work) the data has not been rigorously analysed, and we can give only the most basic results. However we hope that this report indicates that the study was successful within its objectives.},
keywords = {behaviour, dolphin, dolphins, Eubalaena glacialis, Fisheries, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, megaptera novaeangliae, objectives, Oman, physeter, population, populations, sanctuaries, sperm whale, sperm whales, survey, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The establishment of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1979 gave whale science an opportunity and a challenge: the opportunity to study protected whale; and the challenge to show that whale populations can be monitored purely through studies of living animals. The sperm whale (Physeter catodon), is commercially the most important, and the most numerous, large whale. It may be a significant link in the food web on account of returning nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface through its faeces. Analysis of the composition of sperm whale catches suggests that the sperm whale possesses a unique and interesting social system (Best 1979), a thorough knowledge of which is essential if these exceptional animals are to be properly protected.It was thus appropriate to carry out a study of the behaviour of the sperm whales in the Indian Ocean, principally using the methods developed on living right, grey and humpback whales, and the money raised by WWF-Netherlands. In order to obtain significant results it was thought necessary to have three field seasons of several months each.As very little was known of the whales of the Indian Ocean the first season consisted of a survey of those parts of the NW Indian Ocean which might have been suitable for studying sperm whales. During the survey methods of studying living sperm whales were to be developed, and other whales, dolphins, and marine mammal fisheries examined as circumstances permitted. From this survey we were to decide on the most suitable area and methods for studying sperm whales in subsequent seasons. We were also to recommend which other marine mammal research projects in the area should be undertaken, either as part of our project or separately.We report here on the first field season. Because of the deadline (within two weeks of the end of the field work) the data has not been rigorously analysed, and we can give only the most basic results. However we hope that this report indicates that the study was successful within its objectives.