The conservation of Antarctic whales

Abstract

The large antarctic stocks of baleen whales have been exploited for the past half-century, and internationally-agreed conservation measures have been in force for half of that time. These measures have included complete protection of Right Whales ( Balaena spp.), of all females with calves, and of small whales, and also a limit on the total numbers caught. This limit was set, in 1946, a little too high, and the gap between it and the combined sustainable yield from the different stocks widened as the stocks (particularly of Blue and Fin Whales) declined. At the worst period, in 1964, the catches were some three times the sustainable yield. By that time, Fin Whales were well below the level giving the maximum sustainable yield, and Blue Whales and Humpback Whales were approaching commercial extinction. Since 1965, Blue and Humpback Whales have been protected, and there is evidence that the Blue Whales are increasing, and are considerably more abundant than had been feared. Catches of Fin and Sei Whales have been reduced to about the sustainable level. Though the Sei Whale stocks, taken as a whole, are around the optimum level, the Fin Whale stocks are still seriously depleted, and further action is needed to rebuild them.