Grey Whale

Eschrichtius robustus

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
ELCODE: 
AMAGG01010
Common Name: 
Grey Whale
Scientific Name: 
Eschrichtius robustus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Marine Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Artiodactyla (Cetacea)
Family: 
Balaenopteridae (Eschrichtiidae)
References: 
BSC2
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

5-11 yrs
References: 
BSC2

Economic/Human Considerations

Past whaling industry, present whale watching
References: 
BSC2
Habitat
summer = shallow waters on Continental shelf
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Ocean
References: 
BSC2

Distribution

Score: 
G
Marine Distribution Description: 
0.39

Number of Occurrences

Seen occasionaly in Beaufort Sea
Score: 
A
References: 
BSC2
H141

Area of Occupancy

long distance migration
Score: 
-
References: 
BSC2
Population

Population Size

abundant in eastern N. Pacific - 21 000+
Score: 
F
References: 
BSC2
Trends

Trends

increased since the 60s, increased in east Pacific to 21 000 in 1988; incressing presence in NWT (L Harwood 2011)
Score: 
GH
References: 
BSC2
Threats

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
Status Rank Description: 
Seen on occasions and more in recent years
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Lois Harwwod DFO Inuvik, sent to Nat in Oct. 2000; Reviewed in 2010; no change; Reviewed in 2011; modified from vagrant to undetermined; Confirmed in 2015; Reviewed in 2020, no change
Last Updated: 
June 13, 2020
Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

Not Applicable Species under federal jurisdiction

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank: 
Not Applicable
Not Applicable Species under federal jurisdiction

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Not At Risk
Not At Risk in 2017. As part of the Northeast Pacific population. Was designated Not at Risk in April 1987, Special Concern in 2004,

Canada – Species at Risk Legal Status

SARA Status: 
Special Concern
2005
References: 
W103

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Economic Status

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Ecozones

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Federal Species at Risk Status

  • Government of Canada (2016) Species at Risk Public Registry. http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm - W103 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return
  • Harwood, L (2000) Pers. communication. DFO Fisheries Management Biologist Western Arctic Area - Central and Arctic Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada - H141 Return

Population Size

Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return