With the Southern Right Whale population growth recently having ground to a halt, there is increasing alarm about the long-term recovery of the species. Most famously, dramatic whaling practices almost drove the species extinct. After a precipitous decline since the late 1970s, it has staged an impressive revival. Recent data has shown that all of that progress is in jeopardy. This is particularly the case for Australian waters, where the population demonstrates worrying signs of stagnation.
When historical records show that industrial whaling wiped out over Southern Right Whale population numbers during the 1800s, for example. Because of their habit of swimming very near the coast, they were uniquely susceptible to whalers. By the time commercial whaling was prohibited, there were only a couple hundred of them left on the planet. In spite of its grim legacy, the city’s population has experienced stunning growth in recent decades. Latest estimates indicate that number has dropped to between 2,000 and 3,500 dogs. However, this number amounts to just under 16 percent of their historic, pre-whaling abundance.
Recent Trends in Population Growth
From 1976 to about 2010, the number of calves born each year to Southern Right Whales had a remarkable increase. Unfortunately, that positive trend came to a halt starting in about 2016-2017. Consequently, researchers have begun asking what caused this unprecedented decline and why.
Miss Grundlehner, a marine biologist who specializes in whale populations, had this to say about the unexpected halt in growth.
“We were very concerned to find not only slowed growth in births in this population, but an actual halt and what looks like the onset of a decline,” – Miss Grundlehner
The implications of these findings are serious. It’s really concerning that annual births have stopped increasing. The population is still far from fully recovered, only reaching about 30% of their pre-whaling numbers.
“The fact that the growth in annual births has halted, while the population size is well below pre-whaling abundance, is a pretty big finding,” – Miss Grundlehner
Factors Influencing Population Dynamics
Researchers are currently looking into possible reasons for the sudden halt in population growth for Southern Right Whales. Climate change and other anthropogenic pressures on marine environments are likely to be major players in these dynamics.
The need for targeted research is urgent, as the ability to begin taking appropriate conservation actions depends upon a clearer understanding of these causes.
“We really need to study all the potential drivers, one by one, to understand their effects on right whales’ survival and reproduction, and see if we can find any relationship between potential drivers and the species births and the worrying trends we found in their abundance around Australia,” – Miss Grundlehner
As Southern Right Whales are currently listed as endangered under Australian waters, the need for concerted conservation effort is urgent. Associate Professor Stuart Corney explained what these findings would mean for conservation efforts.
Conservation Efforts and Future Outlook
Southern Right Whales experience a steep population decline, as numbers are still well below historic population levels. Conservationists and policymakers must act now to give them the best chance of survival.
“Because this species is considered endangered in Australian waters, understanding the causes behind the stalling population growth will be critical to inform appropriate conservation actions,” – Associate Professor Stuart Corney
With an estimated population still significantly lower than its historic levels, ensuring the survival of Southern Right Whales requires immediate attention and action from conservationists and policymakers alike.
