A Review of Northern Pacific Sperm Whale, Physeter macrocephalus, Abundance and Stock Structure

• Main Author: Peterson, Megan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: eScholarship, University of California 2007
• Subjects: Life Sciences; North Pacific sperm whale; Physeter macrocephalus; Marine Mammal Protection Act; Endangered Species Act; commercial whaling; whale entanglement; whale bycatch; anthropogenic sound; sperm whale life history; sperm whale populations; sperm whale stock structure; sperm whale abundance; Pacific; Sperm whale
• Online Access: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/9k3342j9

North Pacific sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were extensively harvested in the 19th and 20th centuries. Sperm whale populations are no longer in danger of extinction from commercial harvesting. However, less quantifiable threats, such as interactions with fisheries and the unknown impacts on anthropogenic sound, still pose a danger to sperm whale populations. Enhancing our understanding of sperm whale abundance and stock structure in the North Pacific will enable researchers to monitor the recovery of sperm whale populations and effectively allocate conservation resources based on current threats. This paper reviews our understanding of sperm whale life history and available abundance and stock structure data (historic and current) for Northern Pacific sperm whales. This review also addresses types of research necessary to adequately assess sperm whale status going forward.