North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 12

Technical Summary

Eubalaena japonica

North Pacific Right Whale – Baleine noire du Pacifique Nord

Range of Occurrence in Canada:

Eastern North Pacific

Extent and Area Information

Extent of occurrence (EO) (km²)

Unknown

Specify trend in EO

Not applicable

Are there extreme fluctuations in EO?

Not applicable

Area of occupancy (AO) (km²)

Unknown

Specify trend in AO

Not applicable

Are there extreme fluctuations in AO?

Not applicable

Number of known or inferred current locations

Not applicable

Specify trend in #

Not applicable

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations?

Not applicable

Specify trend in area, extent or quality of habitat

Unknown

Population Information

Generation time (average age of parents in the population)

~ 20 years (if similar to other species of right whales)

Number of mature individuals

Perhaps a few tens

Total population trend:

Unknown

% decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations.

Not applicable

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?

Unlikely

Is the total population severely fragmented?

Unknown

Specify trend in number of populations

Not applicable

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations?

No

List populations with number of mature individuals in each:

 

Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)

  • serious injury and mortality from collisions with vessels (if similar to North Atlantic right whales)
  • serious injury and mortality from entanglement in fixed fishing gear (if similar to North Atlantic right whales
  • low reproductive rates (if similar to North Atlantic right whales)

Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)

Status of outside population(s)?

USA: Endangered

Is immigration known or possible?

Yes (western North Pacific)

Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada?

Likely

Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada?

Uncertain/Likely

Is rescue from outside populations likely?

Low

Quantitative Analysis

Not applicable

Status and Reasons for Designation

Status:  Endangered

Alpha-numeric code:  A1d; D1

Reasons for Designation: Although there have not been sightings of this species in the last 50 years in Canadian waters, there have been sightings both south and north of British Columbia waters. Therefore it is not appropriate to classify the species as extirpated. The total population in the eastern North Pacific likely numbers a few tens of animals.

Applicability of Criteria

  • Criterion A: Declining Total Population: Meets Endangered A1d (suspected greater than 70% reduction over last 3 generations, 75 years; generation time estimated to be about 25 years from data on other right whales).
  • Criterion B: Small Distribution and Decline or Fluctuation: Probably large EO and AO
  • Criterion C: Small Total Population Size and Decline: Not known to be declining
  • Criterion D: Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution: Meets Endangered, D1 (less than 250 mature individuals)
  • Criterion E:  Quantitative Analysis: Not applicable

Page details

Date modified: