See also:

Beluga whale abundance
 
Seal abundance

Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op

What is happening?

• The numbers of bowhead whales are continuing to increase slowly over time. In the late 1800s the commercial whale harvest had reduced bowhead populations to very low numbers.

Why is it happening?

• The reduction of bowhead whale numbers a century ago was caused by overharvesting. Since then, strong conservation measures have allowed the population to recover.

Why is it important?

• These whales have traditionally been harvested by northern native peoples and maintenance of healthy populations has both cultural and ecological importance.

Technical Notes

• The estimate for 2001 was taken from 2003 report of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. Estimates from 1978-1993 were taken from Table 3, p.472 of the International Whaling Commission, 46th Report, 1996.
• According to a 2009 assessment report by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) the most recent bowhead whale population estimate remains the 2001 study. The report can be found here .