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 This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.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 - 96252 | Balaenoptera musculus

Assessment ID
96252
Taxon name
Balaenoptera musculus
Linnaeus, 1758
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Balaenoptera musculus
Linnaeus, 1758
Common name(s)
Blue Whale (English), Rorqual bleu (Français)
Assessed taxon level
Population
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
balaenopteridae
Genus
Balaenoptera
Species
musculus
Species authority
Linnaeus, 1758
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Pacific 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
Blue whales off the coast of British Columbia are likely part of a population based in the northeastern Pacific. The population was reduced by whaling. The rarity of sightings (visual and acoustic) suggests their numbers are currently very low (significantly less than 250 mature individuals). Threats for blue whales along the coast of British Columbia are unknown, but may include ship strikes, pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and long-term changes in climate (which could affect the abundance of their zooplankton prey).; Les rorquals bleus au large de la cà´te de la Colombie-Britannique font probablement partie d'une population établie dans la partie septentrionale du Nord-Est de l'océan Pacifique. Leur population a été réduite en raison de la chasse à la baleine. La rareté des observations (visuelles et acoustiques) semble indiquer que leur nombre est actuellement très faible (beaucoup moins que 250 individus matures). Les menaces qui pèsent sur les rorquals bleus le long de la cà´te de la Colombie-Britannique sont inconnues, mais elles peuvent inclure les collisions avec des navires, la pollution, l'enchevêtrement dans des engins de pêche et les changements climatiques à long terme (qui pourraient avoir une incidence sur l'abondance de leur proie, le zooplancton).
Assessment details
Year assessed
2002
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 (2002)
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Pacific 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 species was considered a single unit and designated Special Concern in April 1983. Split into two populations in May 2002. The Pacific population was designated Endangered in May 2002.; L'espèce a été considérée comme une unité et a été désignée ' préoccupante ' en avril 1983. Division en deux populations en mai 2002. La population du Pacifique a été désignée ' en voie de disparition ' en mai 2002.
Publication
COSEWIC. 2002. 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