Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeanqliae) 



Humpback whales, which are found in most of the world's 

 oceans, have been severely reduced in number as a result of 

 commercial whaling. Commercial exploitation of the species 

 has been banned by the International Whaling Commission since 

 1966 and, in 1970, the species was designated as endangered 

 under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. However, as noted in 

 Chapter V of this Report, a small number of humpback whales 

 are still taken in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for subsis- 

 tence purposes. In this and other areas, the species' recovery 

 is threatened by human activities such as commercial vessel 

 traffic, recreational boating, offshore oil and gas development, 

 commercial fisheries, and coastal development. 



As discussed in previous Annual Reports, the Commission 

 believes that recovery plans, as reguired under the Endangered 

 Species Act, should be prepared for humpback whales and other 

 endangered whales in U.S. waters. The Commission recommended 

 to the National Marine Fisheries Service in late 1984 that 

 this step be taken and, in March 1985, the Service advised 

 the Commission that it had decided to defer preparation of 

 recovery plans for great whales due, in part, to its uncertainty 

 as to whether or how recovery plans would enhance protection 

 of the species. By letter of 23 December 1986, the Commis- 

 sion again raised the matter and recommended that recovery 

 plans be developed and implemented for populations of right, 

 humpback, and bowhead whales in U.S. waters. Late in 1986, 

 the Service informally advised the Commission that in 1987 it 

 planned to proceed with preparation of recovery plans and 

 designation of recovery teams for both humpback whales and 

 right whales. On 15 July 1987, the Service invited scientists 

 and resource managers with broad knowledge of humpback whales 

 and associated management problems to serve as members of the 

 humpback whale recovery team. By letter of 23 September 

 1987, the Service provided team members with the terms of 

 reference for team activities and a schedule for developing a 

 humpback whale Recovery Plan. 



Among other things, the Recovery Team will be respon- 

 sible for providing the Service with recommendations on re- 

 search, recovery activities, and other actions necessary to 

 assist in the humpback whale recovery effort. The Team will 

 also review the status of the species and recovery efforts 

 and advise the Service on technical and scientific matters, such 

 as scientific research permits and consultations under section 

 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Staff members of the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service have been given the responsibility 

 for preparing a draft Recovery Plan. During its Annual Meeting 

 on 10-12 December 1987, the Marine Mammal Commission was advised 

 that a draft Plan was nearing completion; that it would address 

 populations of humpback whales off both the east and west 



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