Seasonal distribution, exploitation and present abundance of stocks of large baleen whales (Mysticeti) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in Norwegian and adjacent waters

Abstract

An account of the annual distribution and previous exploitation of Greenland right Balaena mysticetus), blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in Norwegian and adjacent waters is presented. Where possible, the present abundances of these species are updated with data from sightings surveys conducted in these waters in 1987–1989. The Greenland right whale is rarely seen and is probably nearly extinct. The blue whale seems to be regularly migrating into the Norwegian Sea up to the west of Spitsbergen in summer, but its abundance is not known. Recent survey estimates indicate a fin whale population of some thousands in the Norwegian Sea in summer. The recent sightings surveys have revealed no new information on sei whale abundance in these areas. Humpbacks amount to approximately 1000 whales in the Norwegian and Barents Seas, while sperm whales number several thousand in the Norwegian Sea. In total, up to 10 000 individuals of the large whale species inhabit these northern waters during the summer