Science Advisory Report 2009/048
Recovery Potential assessment of the humpback whale, Pacific population
Summary
- The best estimate of population size of humpback whales in waters off the Pacific coast of Canada is 2145 individuals in 2006 (95% confidence interval 1970-2331). The population grew over the period of 1992-2006 at an estimated annual rate of 4.1% (95% confidence interval 3.9-5.1%).
- Historical pre-whaling abundance is poorly known, but there were an estimated minimum of approximately 4000 whales in the population in 1905, before large-scale whaling began.
- Humpback whales are widely distributed off the Pacific coast of Canada, including both inshore and offshore waters. Their range is expanding as the population grows.
- Total allowable harm was calculated to be 21 animals per year using the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) method.
- Potential threats include vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing and aquaculture gear, acoustic disturbance and prey limitation.
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