Achieving socioeconomic recovery and biodiversity restoration objectives through gray whale reintroduction

• Main Authors: Nevin, Owen, Ramsey, Andrew D.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: 599 Mammals; 577 Ecology; 639 Hunting; fishing & conservation; Pacific; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/930/; https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/930/1/Nevin_AchievingSocioeconomic.pdf; http://www.conbio.org/activities/meetings/2005/pdf/programa%20final%20pdf1_270605.pdf

This paper presents an ecological and socioeconomic case for the reintroduction of the Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) to the North Atlantic from the harvestable surplus in the eastern north Pacific. The Gray whale population in the eastern North Atlantic was hunted to extinction in the 17th century. A similar fate almost befell the eastern north Pacific population; however this population has demonstrated a dramatic recovery. European and UK legislation state objectives to ’protect and conserve the ecosystems and the biological diversity of the maritime area, and to restore, where practicable, marine areas which have been adversely affected’. In addition, this reintroduction has broad public support. In a questionnaire based survey 90% of respondents were in favour of Gray whale restoration, compared to only 56% for both grey wolf and brown bear. Successful reestablishment will contribute to the redevelopment of deprived coastal communities through sustainable ecotourism; 81% of respondents would be willing to take a trip to see Gray whales while 53% would add an extra day to their trip. Whilst the proposal appears controversial, there are fewer potential negative impacts of this reintroduction than would be associated with the reintroduction of several terrestrial mammals.