Identity, Abundance, and Present Status of Populations of White Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in North America

Abstract

White whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in the North American arctic number at least 30,000 animals. Largest herds identified are about 10,000 animals in western Hudson Bay, at least as many in Lancaster Sound, and at least 5000 summering in the Beaufort Sea. Hunting in the Canadian arctic has decreased in the last decade from 1000 or more to about 500 annually and is clearly well below sustainable yields except in one locality, Cumberland Sound, where the local population of white whales has never recovered from historic depletion. The species is most vulnerable when concentrated in river estuaries in summer, probably for reproduction. The species’ range has shrunk in the St. Lawrence estuary, a change that can be associated with hydroelectric developments in the last decade. The effects of oil exploration, drilling, and island building in shallow water in the Mackenzie Delta are under study, and developments in oil and gas could have an influence on other populations in the Canadian arctic. Tourism related to this species is increasing, without undue disturbance to date.