GRAY WHALE STATUS

In 50 years, the gray whales have miraculously recovered from near extinction, the only mammal ever to have done so. This has ironically earned them the dubious distinction of being the only marine mammal ever to have been removed from the endangered species list in 1994, exposing them to hunting once again. The International Whaling Commission has declared them a "sustained management stock" and permits hundreds to be killed yearly. Currently the Makah Nation in Western Washington is resuming hunting and several native nations in British Columbia are also considering this new economic opportunity under the guise of cultural traditional rights.

Although gray whales are not being hunted on a large scale, cetologists have serious concerns about the impacts of industrial toxic pollutants on their food source as well as the increase in collisions due to heavier shipping traffic. The increase in commercial whale watching has also been documented to have altered behavior and migration patterns and harassment has become a disturbing issue. Various groups are monitoring this stimulation and several studies are underway to determine how whale watching impacts the animals.

Researchers continue to study whales, what they are eating, how they migrate, social behaviors and calving intervals etc. Photo identification projects enable us to recognize individual whales by their markings so we may learn valuable information that may help us help the whales survive.

Mexico leads the world in whale conservation efforts recognizing the fragility of Baja's calving lagoons. In 1972, Ojo de Liebre (Scammon's Lagoon) was declared a whale sanctuary, the first of its kind worldwide, followed by the protection of San Ignacio Lagoon in 1979. This whole area, (1.5 million ha) was designated the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve in 1988. This world class park covering 1/3 of the Baja peninsula is proudly managed by the Mexican government controlling development as well as whale watching operations to protect both whales and their environment from commercial exploitation.

While it is critical that the breeding grounds be fully protected, other countries along the migration route should be encouraged to also preserve feeding areas crucial to the whale's survival and to legislate effective harassment regulations. We must find new ways to coexist with minimal impact on the whales and their home.

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