Largest whale update#

With the establishment of the ASI group it is planned to update this table and fill in the gaps where possible. Increases or decreases in population are indicated within the table, where these have been identified.Īt present the IWC has agreed estimates only for some species/areas. This means that there is a 95% chance that the true number lies somewhere between 1,150 and 4,500. As an example, the abundance estimate for Southern Hemisphere blue whales is 2,300 with a 95% confidence interval of 1,150 - 4,500. It is impossible for cetacean abundance estimates to be completely precise and IWC estimates are presented as a ‘best estimate’ figure, accompanied by a 95% Confidence Interval, showing the highest and lowest figure within which the actual abundance figure is believed to sit. This new process ensures quality and consistency across all the estimates used by the IWC.Ĭlick here to read more about the establishment and work of the Scientific Committee’s Working Group on Abundance Estimates (ASI).

In 2017, the IWC Scientific Committee established a new expert group to review and agree all the Abundance Estimates submitted to the Scientific Committee. The information gathered from this fieldwork is used as the basis for population modelling which produces an abundance estimate. Vessel-based and aerial sighting surveys, acoustic monitoring, and analysis of individual animal markings are techniques used independently or in conjunction with each other to count whales. Estimates of current population size, known as abundance estimates, are derived from a combination of fieldwork and computer modelling.