How many humpback whales are there

Planet Earth. Humpback whale populations have recovered since whaling was banned, some from near extinction. Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news. Sign Up. Already a subscriber?

Want more? More From Discover. Recommendations From Our Store. At first they didn't seem to be rebounding, but a study published Wednesday finds that to the surprise of scientists the population is now up to an estimated 25, whales. That's almost as many as researchers estimate there were before whaling began in the s. Scientists were thrilled to realize how fast and how well the population has recovered after whaling finally stopped for good in the s. He is the lead author on a research paper documenting the whales' recovery.

For a long time it looked as if the western South Atlantic humpbacks were never going to recover from almost two centuries of whaling. To get a better sense of how they were doing, Zerbini and other researchers set out in a ship in and then again in , zigzagging across the whales' breeding and feeding grounds off the eastern coast of South America and counting whales.

What they found came as a welcome surprise — the humpbacks in the area were thriving. The research was published Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science , a peer-reviewed scientific journal based in London. A recent review in the journal Nature suggests that if the oceans are protected, marine life can rebound within our lifetime.

Whales are one example, others include turtles, sea otters, seals and, critically for humans, fisheries. The science is clear: this can happen and it will work. Who knows whether all those old historical tales of humpbacks in every coastal bay are true, but I am excited to find out.

Contact us at letters time. By Dr. Kirsten Thompson. TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors. In addition, we have taken steps to reduce threats to the species, such as establishing regulations to:. In , we completed a global status review of humpback whales , and in , we revised the ESA listing for the humpback whale to identify 14 distinct population segments.

The Mexico population is listed as threatened. All humpback whales are protected under the MMPA and three stocks are listed as depleted i. NOAA Fisheries conducts research on the biology, behavior, and ecology of the humpback whale.

The results are used to inform management decisions and enhance recovery efforts for this species. Information from these research projects can be used to inform management actions that protect the humpback whale and reduce their human-related mortalities. The Years of the North Atlantic Humpback Project in to and the follow-up project, More North Atlantic Humpbacks, in to were international collaborations to monitor humpback whale populations, investigate human-caused deaths, and conduct various other surveys, including research on humpback songs, across many humpback habitats.

One of the humpback's most interesting behaviors is bubble-net feeding, a complex and coordinated tactic for capturing many fish at once. Other research is focused on the acoustic environment of cetaceans, including humpback whales. Acoustics is the science of how sound is transmitted. This research involves increasing our understanding of the basic acoustic behavior of whales, dolphins, and fish; mapping the acoustic environment; and developing better methods to locate cetaceans using autonomous gliders and passive acoustic arrays.

Learn more about acoustic science. Scientists use small aircraft to spot large whales including humpbacks and record their seasonal distribution. Understanding their migration patterns helps managers establish measures to reduce vessel strikes. Determining the size of humpback whale populations helps resource managers determine the success of conservation measures and regulations. Our scientists collect population information on humpback whales from various sources and present the data in an annual stock assessment report.

Learn more about marine mammal stock assessments. Find humpback whale stock assessment reports. Our research on the population dynamics, diet and foraging behavior, distribution, and movement patterns of humpback whales provides information crucial for understanding and protecting humpback whale populations in Alaska. Humpback whale research in Alaska. Biologists conducted survey flights of the shifting sand shoals of the Copper River Delta to search…. Level 1 First Responder training to prepare recreational and commercial boaters to report whale….

Booklet summarizing Alaska humpback whale approach regulations, viewing guidelines for sea lions,…. Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae. Central America DPS. ESA Endangered. ESA Endangered - Foreign.

Arabian Sea DPS. ESA Threatened. Throughout Its Range. MMPA Protected. MMPA Depleted. Western North Pacific stock. Central North Pacific stock.

Quick Facts Weight. Entanglement in fishing gear, Vessel strikes, Vessel-based harassment, Ocean noise. See Regulatory Actions. Humpback whale breaching.

At least four humpback whale populations occur in the North Pacific: In the North Atlantic, two populations of humpback whales feed during spring, summer, and fall throughout a range that extends across the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Maine to Norway. Vessel Strikes Inadvertent vessel strikes can injure or kill humpback whales. Climate Change The impacts of climate change on whales are unknown, but it is considered one of the largest threats facing high latitude regions where many humpback whales forage.

Entanglement in Fishing Gear Humpback whales can become entangled by many different gear types, including moorings, traps, pots, or gillnets. Vessel-Based Harassment Whale watching vessels, recreational boats, and other vessels may cause stress and behavioral changes in humpback whales. Science We conduct various research activities on the biology, behavior, and ecology of humpback whales.

Our work includes: Monitoring humpback whale abundance and mortality in U. How You Can Help. Keep Your Distance. Report Marine Life in Distress. Reduce Speed and Be on the Lookout. Here are some tips to avoid collisions: Be Whale Aware. Know where whales occur habitat. Keep your distance.