New Whale Species Confirmed
Eastern Pacific Right Whale is Now the World's Most Endangered Whale
Genetic studies prove that the right whales of the North Pacific are a separate species. But they in serious danger of extinction and very little is known about them
The North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) has recently been established as genetically distinct from the two other right whale species, the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and the Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). It has been on the IUCN Red List as Endangered since 1996, first as a subspecies of northern right whale and now as a newly recognized species. It is also listed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and the US Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Right whales were named by the whaling industry. Slow moving, with plenty of oil and baleen and a tendency to float after being killed, they were the easiest targets for the whalers.
The Most Endangered Whale in the World
Today, the North Pacific species has the dubious honor of being the most endangered whale in the world. The total number of North Pacific right whales is estimated in the low hundreds ,mostly in the western Pacific, with less than 50 animals estimated in the eastern population, which was illegally hunted into the 1960s, just at the point when it seemed that the population might be recovering from earlier exploitation.
Right whales are long lived, (up to 70 years) and slow growing. Although it is not known when they become sexually mature, most of the great whales do not begin to reproduce until they are at least 7 and more often, 10 to 12 years old. Add to that a probable 2 year reproductive cycle (time between calves being born) and it quickly becomes clear that recovery will be slow, if it occurs at all.
In a 2004 survey, 23 animals were seen in the southeast Bering Sea, with 3 possible cow-calf pairs. These are frighteningly low numbers, given their life history. When the numerous risks the whales will face before reaching maturity are added to the equation it is obvious that extinction is a very real possibility.
Threats and Protection Measures
Measures being taken to protect and preserve this species are largely based on knowledge of North Atlantic right whale issues, including ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement and critical habitat protection. The Atlantic animals and the threats to their existence have been well studied, so the wisest course is to assume that dangers to this species are similar to those the 'new' right whales must face.
Acoustic deterrents designed to help the whales avoid ships and sonar imaging equipment set up to ‘see’ right whales before collisions are unavoidable are two possible aids being considered along with control of shipping traffic in areas of critical importance to the whales.
