North Pacific Right Whales were hunted for oil, meat, and blubber. Often times their skin would be used as material for apparel. Their baleen was used to make corsets, backscratchers, whips, parasols, and petticoats. Their main role in their aquatic ecosystem is to control the zooplankton and krill populations. If they were removed from the ecosystem, the population of krill and other zooplankton would increase significantly, which would have a negative impact on other animals.
Historical State
Before commercial whaling started in 1835, the whale’s population’s size ranged from 20,000 to 30,000. Over 15,000 whales had been killed before commercial whaling was prohibited by international treaty in 1935. However, illegal whaling still occur and killed over 761 whales during 1962 to 1968. Though in 1970, North Pacific Right Whale was listed as endangered under Endangered Species Act, it shared its listing with North Atlantic Right whale and thus did not receive individual recognition and protection. In 2008, in response to 2005 petition, the Services listed North Pacific Right Whale as endangered as distinct species, which drastically enhanced legal protection.
Whaling
Historic Whaling Sites
