Grouped Species Action Plan

Six species of baleen whale need to be considered in this grouped action plan. Special reference is made to Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).

Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus . Mainly a deep-water migratory species present in all oceans at all latitudes. Whaling during the late 19th and 20th century greatly reduced its abundance. Scottish catches from the whaling station at Bunavoneader in Harris between 1908 and 1927 amounted to 308 individuals, mostly taken in July, August and September. There is some evidence of recovery from this and other whaling in the central-north Atlantic. Although rarely seen in UK waters except along the shelf edge, sightings data and recent studies using bottom-mounted hydrophone arrays indicate their presence in waters to the west and north of the UK for most of the year.

Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus . Mainly a deep-water migratory species present in all oceans at all latitudes. Abundance has been much reduced in the north Atlantic by late 19th and 20th century whaling. Scottish catches from Harris accounted for more than 4000 fin whales between 1908 and 1927. In UK waters sightings data and recent studies using bottom-mounted hydrophone arrays indicate that fin whales are generally confined to the shelf edge and are most frequently seen in summer.

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis . Mainly a deep-water migratory species in warm and temperate waters of all oceans. Abundance was certainly reduced in the north Atlantic by late 19th and 20th century whaling, although current status is uncertain. Generally considered rare in UK waters, the whaling station at Bunavoneader nevertheless took 1722 between 1908 and 1927, though most of these were in just a few years, suggesting episodic movements closer to shelf waters. Recent sightings data have added to our knowledge of the distribution and abundance of sei whales off the UK although confusion in identification may occur with fin whales.

Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata . A common migratory species present in all oceans. Fairly common in UK waters north of about 55° and in the South-West Approaches, particularly in summer. The abundance was estimated at 8500 in the North Sea and adjacent waters in summer 1994 and at 110,000 in the eastern north Atlantic in summer 1995. Recent sightings data have added to our knowledge of the distribution and abundance of minke whales in UK waters and adjacent offshore areas.

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliea . A migratory species present in all oceans. In the north Atlantic humpback whales feed mainly in coastal waters in high latitudes, including off Norway and Iceland in summer. All north Atlantic humpbacks are believed to breed in the West Indies in winter but there is also a remnant breeding area off North Africa about which little is known. The largest numbers of animals were taken in the north Atlantic during the 19th century, but 35 were taken between 1908 and 1927 from UK whaling stations. There is evidence of recovery from whaling, and abundance in the north Atlantic has been estimated at 10-15,000 in 1992/93. The few but regular sightings in recent years combined with data from bottom-mounted hydrophone arrays could be indicative of a return of the humpback whale to UK waters.

Northern right whale Eubalaena glacialis . A very rare species in the North Atlantic as a result of human hunting beginning in the 11th century, continuing through to the 20th century. The Harris station accounted for 69 northern right whales between 1908 and 1927. It is believed to number no more than 300 animals currently and there is no evidence of recovery. Ship strikes and fisheries entanglements cause mortality off North America. Extremely rare or possibly extinct in the eastern north Atlantic.

All baleen whales are protected under schedule 5 in both the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. All whales are listed on Annex A of EU Council Regulation 338/97 and therefore treated by the EU as if they are on CITES, Appendix I, thus prohibiting their commercial trade. They are listed in Appendix I of CITES (except for Balaenoptera acutorostrata population of West Greenland which is on Appendix II), Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive. Whaling is illegal in UK waters (Fisheries Act 1981) but neighbouring countries maintain the right to hunt. The UK recognises only the authority of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in matters concerning the regulation of whaling.

A current factor causing loss or decline is the continuing commercial whaling for minkes in the north Atlantic by Norway. Norway resumed commercial whaling in 1993 under formal objection to the IWC moratorium which was introduced in 1986. Norway set quotas of 425, 580 and 671 minke whales for the north Atlantic in 1996, 1997 and 1998 respectively, with 178 of the 1998 quota allocated to the northern North Sea (outside UK waters).

Other factors causing loss or decline are not well understood. Concerns have been raised about acoustic disturbance and contaminants. Contaminants, including organochlorines, may affect the reproductive potential or cause immune suppression in marine mammals, including baleen whales. Demonstrating such effects is extremely difficult, as controlled experiments are generally impossible. Concerns have also been expressed that intensive levels of fishing round the UK may have affected the abundance or availability of marine mammals` prey species, especially for the more piscivorous species, including minke whales. Again, the difficulty in obtaining experimental evidence of such effects means that they are at present speculative.

Seismic survey activity in the Atlantic Frontier (continental shelf break north and west of the British Isles) has increased since 1994. This is also an area frequented by many whale species. Most of the seismic sound energy generated is at frequencies below the main hearing range of whales, but nevertheless there is overlap and potential harm may be caused by direct auditory damage at close distances and interference with navigation, food-finding, and communication further away. Entanglement in fishing gear is known in western Atlantic (right and humpback) and has been recorded recently in Scottish waters (humpback). It is not, however, believed to be a major problem.

In the North Atlantic, collisions with shipping are thought to be one of the most significant factors impeding the recovery of the northern right whale population. Although currently extremely rare in the eastern North Atlantic, the possibility of right whale collisions with shipping could be a potential cause for concern if recovery seems possible. Other species of baleen whale seem not to be significantly affected in this way although there are recent records of at least two minke whales being killed as a result of collisions with shipping in UK waters.

Global climate change may also have an effect on whales, but any impacts are difficult to predict.

Three international North Atlantic Sightings Surveys to estimate abundance were conducted in 1987, 1989 and 1995. The Sea Mammal Research Unit coordinated the international SCANS survey in the North Sea and adjacent waters in 1994. Norway continues to conduct abundance surveys in the eastern north Atlantic. Distribution surveys around the British Isles have been conducted by JNCC since 1980. The Sea Watch Foundation collects distributional information from a broad range of individuals and organisations. Sightings surveys from seismic survey vessels have also given a good number of new records and the data from the hydrophone arrays are adding significantly to our knowledge of the numbers and distribution of baleen whales.

Before licences are awarded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to offshore blocks for oil and gas exploration, operators are required to conduct a preliminary assessment of the impact of their proposed operations. In addition, restrictions on operating practices are included in the conditions attached to each licence to protect areas of sensitivity. For example, this may restrict the undertaking of seismic surveys to months when cetacean activity is known to be at its minimum. Following the award of licences, under the regulations implementing the 1997 Environmental Assessment Directive, operators are required to assess the potential impact of their actions. In cases where there is the possibility of significant impact they may be required to undertake a full environmental assessment seeking advice from consultees, both statutory and non-statutory. If the operation cannot be conducted without causing significant environmental impact, the operation may not be allowed to proceed.

Guidelines to minimise the effects of acoustic disturbance from seismic surveys have been agreed with the oil and gas industry and were published by the then Department of the Environment in 1995. These Guidelines were revised in April 1998. Application of the Guidelines is required in blocks awarded to operators under the 16th and 17th Offshore Licensing Rounds. However, member companies of the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) have indicated that they will comply with these Guidelines in all areas of the UK Continental Shelf and, in some cases, elsewhere. Under the guidelines there is a requirement for visual and acoustic surveys of the area prior to seismic testing to determine if cetaceans are in the vicinity, and a slow and progressive build-up of sound to enable animals to move away from the source.

In June 1998, JNCC organised a workshop on the potential impacts of seismic activities on marine mammals. The workshop was attended by representatives from the oil and gas industry, geophysical and environmental contractors. They identified information and concerns and discussed possible research needs and regulatory mechanisms.                                      

In 1999 DETR produced two sets of guidelines aimed at minimising disturbance to cetaceans: Minimising disturbance to cetaceans from whale watching operations, and Minimising disturbance to cetaceans from recreation at sea. The first set of guidelines is aimed at those involved in whale, dolphin and porpoise watching - both tour operators and members of the public who participate in tours. The second is aimed at those involved in any recreational activity in UK coastal waters who may incidentally encounter cetaceans.

Post-mortem and tissues studies of stranded carcasses are carried out to establish body condition and cause of death by the Scottish Agricultural College in Scotland, and the Institute of Zoology in collaboration with the Natural History Museum in England and Wales under contract to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).

Eunice Pinn, Joint Nature Conservation Committee Tel:01224 655718

The following LBAPs are working on Grouped plan for baleen whales:

Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume V: Maritime species and habitats (October 1999, Tranche 2, Vol V, p23)

ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to Baleanoptera borealis

ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to Balaenoptera musculus

ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to Eubalaena glacialis

ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to Balaenoptera physalus

ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to Megaptera novaeangliae