The population of humpback whales in the Southwest Atlantic has reached a historic high of approximately 25,000, according to a study published in the Royal Society Open Science journal by scientists from the University of Washington. This number is equivalent to the population size before the industrial whaling era. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) removed the humpback whale from its list of endangered species in 2016. The study was based on data aggregation from sightings of the marine mammals from airplanes and ships, which were then extrapolated using statistical methods to estimate the total number of whales.
The whaling industry had a significant impact on the population of humpback and blue whales in the early 20th century, reducing their numbers from six-figure populations to just a few hundred. Despite the international whaling moratorium in 1986, the population of most large whales remains lower than before the whaling era due to their long gestation periods and infrequent births. The humpback whale population in the Southern Atlantic is considered to be in good condition compared to other oceans, with an estimated global population of 80,000, down from 130,000 before the whaling era. It is believed that around 200,000 humpback whales were killed during the 20th century.
The study’s findings are significant as they demonstrate the potential for whale populations to recover from the brink of extinction. However, the threat of climate change, pollution, and overfishing still poses a significant risk to the survival of these marine mammals. The study highlights the importance of continued efforts to protect and conserve whale populations, including the enforcement of international whaling regulations and the reduction of human impact on the oceans.
