#bidiversity

Tracking Whales with Satellite Imagery

"Right whales unfortunately were named because they were considered the “right” whales to hunt.  These slow moving, docile whales tend to stick close to coastlines and high blubber content made them ideal targets for whale hunters.  During the height of whale hunting in the early 20th century, tens of thousands of right whales were harvested.  In 1937, with the number of right whales estimated to be numbered in the low 300s, a moratorium on hunting was declared although illegal hunting continued for decades.  While the right whale population has increased since the abatement of right whale hunting, populations are estimated to be less than 15% of pre whaling numbers.  Pre-whaling populations estimate of the right whale are estimated to be 55,000–70,000 while current population estimates are about 7,500."