The Effect of Eskimo Subsistence Hunting on the Population of the Bowhead Whale, Balaena Mysticetus

Abstract

The bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, is a large balaenid cetacean inhabiting the arctic and subarctic oceans. The Eskimos have hunted the bowhead whale since at least 800 A.D. In 1843 commercial whaling began, and continued until the early 1920's. Before the commencement of commercial whaling, the population is thought to have numbered between 10,000-20,000 whales. Current population estimates of the western arctic population range between 1,000 to 2,500 animals. Since 1931 the bowhead whale has been protected from commercial whaling. The Eskimos have always held a native exemption for subsistence harvesting. In 1978 the IWC set a quota on the Eskimos catch because of the increased number of whales being taken. This quota, and if the native exemption should continue, has been a matter of controversy. Although there is not enough accurate data available on the population biology of these whales, projections of future population size have been made. A review of these projections show that under the current quota system, the continued Eskimo harvesting exemption will not have a significant deleterious effect on the population growth and recovery.