Population Count of the Blue Whale

     It is estimated that there are about 8,000-14,000 blue whales worldwide, which makes them an endangered species. These whales (and many other large whales) were over-hunted for many years, since their meat, oil, and other body parts are very valuable. Since whale hunting has decreased in the last few decades, their populations are starting to recover.

Current Satus:

     The blue whale was too swift and powerful for the 19th century whalers to hunt, but with the arrival of harpoon cannons, they became a much sought after species for their large amounts of blubber. The killing reached a peak in 1931 when 29,649 blue whales were taken. By 1966, blues were so scarce that the International Whaling Commission declared them protected throughout the world. Today, there are probably fewer than 15,000 blue whales in the oceans, and they are considered an endangered species. However, we can see them in the summer and fall off the central California coast, feeding in such places as the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. The 2,000 blue whales that feed along the California coast make up the largest concentration of blue whales in the world.

Trends in the Blue Whale Population - Population Estimates:

·    WORLD

o   Before whaling: About 275,000 (Kemf & Phillips 1994)

o   1930's: 30,000 - 40,000 (IUCN 1966)

o   1962: 930 - 2790 (IUCN 1966)

o   1964: 650 - 2000 (Oryx 1964a)

o   Late 1970's: 4000 - 4500 (Burton & Pearson 1987)

o   1980: About 6500 (Nowak & Paradiso 1983)

o   1990: 2500 - 3000 (Klinowska 1991)  

o   1994: Probably under 5000 (Kemf & Phillips 1994)  

·    By Region

o   North Atlantic

§    Before whaling: 15,000 (Kemf & Phillips 1994)  

§    1980: A few hundred (Nowak & Paradiso 1983)  

§    1990: No more than 442 (Klinowska 1991)  

§    1994: perhaps 1000 - 2000 (Kemf & Phillips 1994)  

o   North Pacific

§    Before whaling: Perhaps 10,000 (Kemf & Phillips 1994)  

§    1980: 1700 (Nowak & Paradiso 1983)  

§    1990: 1400 - 1900 (Klinowska 1991)  

§    1994: Probably 1400 - 4000 (Kemf & Phillips 1994)  

§    1999: 1400 - 1900 (Wilson & Ruff 1999)  

o   Southern Hemisphere

§    Before whaling: Around 250,000 (Kemf & Phillips 1994)  

§    1980: About 4500 (Nowak & Paradiso 1983)  

§    1990: 660 (Klinowska 1991)  

§    1994: 460 (210 - 1000) (Kemf & Phillips 1994)  

§    1998: As few as 400 (Powell 1998)  

    The first long-term study of blue whales is being done in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in Canada. The study is part of the Mingan Island Cetacean Study headed by Richard Sears. Sears and his research team have photographed and identified over 350 blue whales since 1979. They have learned that many of the same whales return to the St. Lawrence every year to feed. The research team is also studying blue whales in the Sea of Cortez, in Mexico. They have identified over 325 blues in that area.