Facts about Whale Conservation Success
- 09
Sei whale populations in the North Pacific have increased from approximately 8,000 individuals in 1980 to around 22,000 by 2018 following strict catch limits implemented by the International Whaling Commission.
- 08
Western gray whale populations in the Sea of Okhotsk have increased from approximately 100 individuals in the 1990s to around 300 by 2021 following marine habitat protection and reduced ship-strike incidents.
- 07
Fin whales in the North Atlantic have stabilized at approximately 40,000 individuals since the 1986 commercial whaling moratorium, representing successful population management through international cooperation and reduced ship strikes.
- 06
North Atlantic right whales, protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 1970, have grown from fewer than 300 individuals to approximately 356 by 2023 through international shipping lane regulations and fishing gear modifications.
- 05
Blue whales, once hunted to near extinction with populations dropping to around 5,000, have recovered to approximately 25,000 individuals today due to the 1966 international whaling moratorium and ongoing marine protection efforts.
- 04
Bowhead whales in the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort population grew from approximately 3,000 individuals in 1978 to over 17,000 by 2011 due to the International Whaling Commission's harvest restrictions.
- 03
Southern right whale populations in the South Atlantic increased from approximately 300 individuals in 1990 to over 2,000 by 2010, demonstrating recovery through strict protection measures and international agreements.
- 02
Humpback whales increased from 5,000 individuals in 1966 to approximately 35,000 by 2019, leading to their removal from the endangered species list in 2008.
- 01
The gray whale population rebounded from approximately 5,000 in 1966 to over 20,000 by 2015 through international protections established in the 1986 commercial whaling moratorium.