What Hope for North Atlantic Right Whales?

• Published in: Oryx
• Main Author: Reeves, Randall
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1982
• Subjects: Nature and Landscape Conservation; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Manan; Lower Bay; North Atlantic; North Atlantic right whale
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s003060530001749x; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S003060530001749X

In the early 1800s the once abundant North Atlantic right whale was believed to be extinct. But by mid-century the species had been ‘rediscovered’, and hunting was resumed until 1918, when the whales were again in trouble. In 1935 all right whales became fully protected by an international convention, and in the 1950s the North Atlantic population was once again ‘rediscovered’. Today, after nearly 50 years of protection and slow recovery, the author assesses the present status of the North Atlantic population. Surveys showed disappointing results until in 1980 a survey of the lower Bay of Fundy (prompted by the threat of an oil refinery being built there) revealed surprisingly high numbers. Another survey in 1981, in which the author also took part, has shown the Grand Manan Island region to be a summer and autumn assembly site for at least several dozen of these endangered whales, including a number of cows and calves. This may be a key area for the North Atlantic right whale's survival.