Please note, this National Red List website contains a subset of data whilst we transition to national focal point driven data uploads. We thank you for your patience with this and welcome national contributors to get in touch to update their national dataset. Terms of Use including citation guidance are found here.

The previous dataset is available via: https://archive.nationalredlist.org/. This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.

NRLD - 96567 | Balaena mysticetus

Assessment ID
96567
Taxon name
Balaena mysticetus
Linnaeus, 1758
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Balaena mysticetus
Linnaeus, 1758
Common name(s)
Bowhead Whale (English), Baleine boréale (Français)
Assessed taxon level
Population
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
balaenidae
Genus
Balaena
Species
mysticetus
Species authority
Linnaeus, 1758
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Davis Strait-Baffin Bay population
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Canada
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Canada
Country ISO code(s)
CAN
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Endangered; En voie de disparition
Abbreviated status
EN
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
The population numbered at least 11,000 animals when commercial whaling began. Whaling reduced the population to less than 30% of its former abundance. Recent estimates indicate that the population is growing and is larger than previously thought, but is likely to still number fewer than 3,000 individuals of all ages. The population qualifies for endangered, but is not judged to be in imminent danger of extinction. Threats include illegal hunting and increased vulnerability to killer whale predation as a result of reduced ice coverage.; La population comptait au moins 11 000 individus lorsque la pêche commerciale à la baleine a commencé. Cette pêche a réduit la population à moins de 30 % de son ancienne abondance. Des estimations récentes indiquent que la population s'accroà®t et qu'elle est plus grande que ce que l'on pensait, mais son nombre d'individus semblerait encore s'élever à moins de 3 000 individus, tous à¢ges confondus. La population remplit les conditions de la catégorie en voie de disparition, mais n'est pas considérée comme étant en danger imminent de disparition. Les menaces comprennent la chasse illégale et une vulnérabilité à la prédation de l'épaulard résultant de la couverture glaciaire réduite.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2005
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Environment Canada.
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN
Reference for methods given
COSEWIC- Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2005)
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Arctic Ocean
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
No information available
History
The ""Eastern and Western Arctic populations"" were given a single designation of Endangered in April 1980. Split into two populations (Eastern Arctic and Western Arctic) to allow separate designations in April 1986. The Eastern Arctic population was not re; Les populations de l'est et de l'ouest de l'Arctique ont été considérées comme un tout et ont été désignées ' en voie de disparition ' en avril 1980. Division en deux populations (population de l'est de l'Arctique et population de l'ouest de l'Arctique) en avril 1986 pour permettre une désignation individuelle. La population de l'est de l'Arctique n'a pas été réévaluée en avril 1986, mais a conservé le statut ' en voie de disparition ' des ' populations de l'est et de l'ouest de l'Arctique ' initiales. La population de l'est de l'Arctique s'est par la suite divisée en deux populations (population de la baie d'Hudson et du bassin de Foxe et population du détroit de Davis et de la baie de Baffin) en mai 2005, et la population du détroit de Davis et de la baie de Baffin a été désignée ' menacée '.
Publication
COSEWIC. 2005. Canadian Wildlife Species at Risk. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Web site: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/wildlife-plants-species/species-risk.html