Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 13
Technical Summary - Atlantic Population
Balaenoptera physalus
Fin whale (Atlantic Population) – rorqual commun (population de l'Atlantique)
Range of Occurrence in Canada:
Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Extent and Area Information
Extent of occurrence (EO) (km²)
>20,000 km²
Specify trend in EO :
None known
Are there extreme fluctuations in EO?
No
Area of occupancy (AO) (km²)
>20,000 km²
Specify trend in AO :
None known
Are there extreme fluctuations in AO?
No
Number of known or inferred current locations
Specify trend in # :
None known
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations?
No
Specify trend in area, extent or quality of habitat :
None known
Population Information
Generation time (average age of parents in the population) :
20–30 years
Number of mature individuals :
Unknown
Total population trend:
Unknown
% decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations.
No indication of decline
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?
No
Is the total population severely fragmented?
No
Specify trend in number of populations:
None known
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations?
No
List populations with number of mature individuals in each:
not applicable
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
- Collisions with large vessels
- Interactions with fisheries including entanglement in gear
- Noise pollution from industrial and recreational activities
- Chemical pollution
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)
Status of outside population(s)?
Similarly depleted : Similarly depleted
Is immigration known or possible?
Yes, possible
Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada?
Likely
Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada?
Unknown
Is rescue from outside populations likely?
Yes, likely
Quantitative Analysis
None available
Current Status
COSEWIC: Special Concern (May 2005)
Status and Reasons for Designation
Status: Special Concern
Alpha-numeric code: N/A
Reasons for Designation: The size of this population was reduced by whaling during much of the 20th Century. However, sightings remain relatively common off Atlantic Canada and they have not been hunted since 1971. The current abundance and level of depletion compared with pre-whaling numbers are uncertain. The whales face a number of current threats including ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, but none is believed to seriously threaten the population.
Applicability of Criteria
- Criterion A (Declining Total Population): Although whaled over the last 3 generations, the level of decline and current abundance are uncertain.
- Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation): AO and EO > 20,000 km².
- Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline): No evidence of current decline.
- Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution): Unlikely to be less than 1,000 mature individuals.
- Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): No quantitative analysis has been undertaken.
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