NatureServe Conservation Status
Rounded Global Status Rank: G3 - Vulnerable
Reasons: Reduced more than 80 percent by commercial whaling in 18th and 19th centuries. Now numbers about 10,000-12,000 individuals in only five discrete populations. Western arctic population, the largest group, has has been increasing 1-3 percent annually in recent years; other populations much smaller and show no evidence of increase. Harvest regulations in place. Potentially threatened by global warming and loss of Arctic ice, and by marine pollution.
Intrinsic Vulnerability: Highly vulnerable
Comments: Species is slow to mature and has low fecundity, but can survive to a very old age.
Environmental Specificity: Unknown