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What Hope for North Atlantic Right Whales?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Randall Reeves
Randall Reeves
Affiliation:
Randall R. Reeves, c/o Arctic Biological Station, 555 St. Pierre Boulevard, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, CanadaH9X 3R4.
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Abstract

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In the early 1800s the once abundant North Atlantic right whale was believed to be extinct. But by mid-century the species had been ‘rediscovered’, and hunting was resumed until 1918, when the whales were again in trouble. In 1935 all right whales became fully protected by an international convention, and in the 1950s the North Atlantic population was once again ‘rediscovered’. Today, after nearly 50 years of protection and slow recovery, the author assesses the present status of the North Atlantic population. Surveys showed disappointing results until in 1980 a survey of the lower Bay of Fundy (prompted by the threat of an oil refinery being built there) revealed surprisingly high numbers. Another survey in 1981, in which the author also took part, has shown the Grand Manan Island region to be a summer and autumn assembly site for at least several dozen of these endangered whales, including a number of cows and calves. This may be a key area for the North Atlantic right whale's survival.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , February 1982 , pp. 255 - 262
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1982

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