increased. From 1924 to 1937, whaling 

 was again carried on. Since 1937, the 

 species has had complete legal pro- 

 tection. 



Counts of gray whales during their 

 southward migration past San Diego, 

 in the seasons 1952-53 through 1956- 

 57, suggest that the population is in- 

 creasing, possibly as much as 10 

 percent a year. The estimated popu- 

 lation, including corrections for whales 

 passing unseen during periods of dark- 

 ness and poor visibility, and whales 



passing offshore, was 2,894 in 1952-53 

 and 4,454 in 1956-57. 



Aerial censuses of the winter range 

 indicate the extent of the breeding 

 grounds and their relative use by 

 whales. The most important areas 

 are: (1) Vizcaino -Scammon, with 1 ,500 

 to 2,000 whales (about half the total 

 population); (2) San Ignacio, with about 

 500 whales (one -eighth to one-sixth the 

 total population); and (3) Magdalena, 

 with 1,000 to 1,500 whales (about one- 

 third the total population). 



