Humpback Whales No Longer In Endangered Species List

Another mammal can be taken off the endangered species list: this time, from the sea. According to a decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service, most of the humpback whale populations no longer need to be classified as such. The US government listed all species of humpbacks as endangered in 1970, when commercial whaling reduced their numbers drastically.

However, a scientific review noted that the humpbacks - which were divided into 14 distinct populations, have recovered their numbers enough to avoid being in the endangered list. Angela Somma, the chief of the endangered species division at the NMFS said, "We believe that we have conducted a very thorough scientific assessment. Most of the humpback populations have increased and increased substantially from where they were."

Unfortunately, not all whales are lucky. NPR.org reported that there are still those that are considered endangered, including the populations in Central America, off northwest Africa, in the Arabian Sea, and the western north of the Pacific. A population near Mexico is also listed as threatened.

Despite the positive news of humpback whale populations recovering, little will change as a way of living for whalers: the animals will still be covered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on hunting, imposed in 1982, will still remain in effect. The increase in whale population is thanks mostley to the end of uncontrolled whaling, which ended in 1966, and brought the humpback and other large cetaceans to the edge of extinction.

Kristen Monsell, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity in California said in a statement via Science Mag, "Some humpbacks are on the road to recovery ... but the job isn't finished." Day to day protections are still in effect , as are regulations that ensure vessels around Hawaii and Alaska keep a safe distance away from the majestic species.