Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 12

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Technical Summary

Monodon monoceros

Narwhal (Baffin Bay & Hudson Bay Populations) – Narval (Populations de la baie de Baffin et de la baie d’Hudson)

Extent and Area Information

Population Information

Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)

• Hunting: Numbers removed by hunting appear to have increased over the past decade from the Baffin Bay population, and since 1977 from the Hudson Bay population. Reliable information is not available for numbers that are killed and not landed. The ability of the population to sustain hunting is uncertain. Better knowledge of population size, movements and vital rates are needed.
• Climate change: potential effects of reduced ice coverage are unknown, but may make narwhals more vulnerable to hunting and predation by killer whales.

Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)

Quantitative Analysis

None undertaken

Current Status: Narwhal Not at Risk (COSEWIC, April 1987)

Status and Reasons for Designation

Status: Special Concern

Alpha-numeric code:  N/A

Reasons for Designation: The Baffin Bay population appears to be large (~45,000), although there is uncertainty about numbers, trends, life history parameters, and levels of sustainable hunting. There is similar uncertainty about the much smaller Hudson Bay population (~2,100 mature individuals). Hunting for maktak and the commercially valuable tusk ivory represents the most consistent threat to narwhals. Potential effects of changes in ice coverage caused by climate trends are unknown. The Hudson Bay population could decline by 30% in 30 years if hunting is not closely regulated. Similarly, the Baffin Bay population could be affected if hunting in Greenland is not effectively managed. Numbers removed by hunting increased during the 1990s. Community-based management is monitoring hunting and is attempting to regulate removals. Reliable information about numbers that are killed and not recovered is difficult to obtain.

Applicability of Criteria

• Criterion A (Declining Total Population): The Baffin Bay population is large (~45,000 all ages), although the trend is not known. The Hudson Bay population numbers about 2,100 mature individuals, but there is considerable uncertainty about its trend, and levels of sustainable hunting are not known. The Hudson Bay population could decline by 30% over the next 30 years if hunting is not closely monitored and effectively regulated
• Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation): Does not apply as the extent of occurrence for both populations is >20,000 km²
• Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline): Does not apply given that the number of mature individuals in the Baffin Bay population is >10,000. However, continued hunting at the 2002 level would cause the small Hudson Bay population to decline (Criterion C1, Threatened). Community-based management is monitoring the hunt and appears to be regulating removal levels in Canada. The Baffin Bay population, however, is also hunted in Greenland at levels that may not be sustainable.
• Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution): Both populations are >1,000, and their distributions are not restricted.
• Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): No quantitative analysis has been undertaken.