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 This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.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 - 93602 | Eschrichtius robustus

Assessment ID
93602
Taxon name
Eschrichtius robustus
(Lilljeborg, 1861)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Eschrichtius robustus
(Lilljeborg, 1861)
Common name(s)
Grey Whale (English), Baleine grise (Français)
Assessed taxon level
Population
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
eschrichtiidae
Genus
Eschrichtius
Species
robustus
Species authority
(Lilljeborg, 1861)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Eastern North 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
Special Concern; Préoccupante
Criteria system used
Modified IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification
Grey whales migrate each year from their winter calving grounds in Mexico to their summer feeding areas in northern Alaska, Russia and Canada. Most of the population passes along the BC coastline, and some individuals repeatedly spend the entire summer feeding in BC (about 80). The population increased by 2.5% per year following the cessation of whaling, and peaked, within the range of pre-exploitation estimates, at about 27,000 animals in 1998. The extent of recovery of the summer resident group is unknown. However, over one-third of the population died from 1998 to 2002 (possibly due to a lack of food in Alaska). Birth rates, survival rates and other indicators suggest that the decline has ceased and that the population is stable or increasing since 2002. The whales are susceptible to human activities in their 4 breeding lagoons in Mexico, as well as to entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with boats throughout their range. Underwater noise associated with proposed oil development in BC could alter migration patterns. The small group of summer-resident whales could also be threatened by subsistence whaling in the USA.; Les baleines grises migrent chaque année de leur aires hivernales de mise bas au Mexique à leurs aires d'alimentation estivales dans le nord de l'Alaska, de la Russie et du Canada. La majeure partie de la population passe le long de la cà´te de la Colombie-Britannique, et certains individus reviennent tous les étés en Colombie-Britannique pour se nourrir (environ 80). Cette population a connu une augmentation de 2,5 p. 100 par année à la suite de la clà´ture de la chasse à la baleine, et elles ont atteint leur nombre le plus élevé, soit à des niveaux comparables à ceux existants avant l'exploitation, d'environ 27 000 individus en 1998. La possibilité de rétablissement du groupe résident estival est inconnue. Cependant, plus d'un tiers de la population est décédée entre 1998 et 2002 (possiblement en raison du manque de nourriture en Alaska). Les taux de natalité, les taux de survie et d'autres indicateurs laissent entendre que le déclin a cessé et que la population est stable ou à la hausse depuis 2002. Ces baleines sont vulnérables aux activités humaines dans leurs quatre lagunes de reproduction au Mexique, ainsi qu'à l'enchevêtrement dans les engins de pêche et aux collisions avec des navires dans l'ensemble de leur aire de répartition. Les bruits sous l'eau associés à l'exploitation d'hydrocarbures proposée en Colombie-Britannique pourraient modifier les trajets de migration. Le petit groupe estival de baleines résidentes pourrait également être menacé par la chasse à la baleine de subsistance aux États-Unis.
Assessment details
Year assessed
2004
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 (2004)
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Pacific Ocean; 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
Designated Not at Risk in April 1987. Status re-examined and designated Special Concern in May 2004.; Espèce désignée ' non en péril ' en avril 1987. Réexamen du statut : l'espèce a été désignée ' préoccupante ' en mai 2004.
Publication
COSEWIC. 2004. 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