Abundance estimate of the Central North Atlantic minke whale stock

In 1997, the Scientific Committee of the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) reviewed new information on the abundance of several whale stocks in the North Atlantic. Data from the 1995 North Atlantic Sightings Surveys for cetaceans (NASS-95), which was coordinated through NAMMCO, was used as the basis for revised estimates for the surveyed areas.

"For the Central Stock Area the minke whales are now close to their carrying capacity. Present removals and catches of 292 per year (corresponding to a mean of the catches between 1980-84) are sustainable." (NAMMCO Scientific Committee report, 1998)

The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for the point estimate, 72,130, is 867 animals assuming MSYR of 3%. With a 2% MSYR, MSY is 589. (NAMMCO Scientific Committee report, 1998, page 35, tabel 5.5.1)

MSY (Maximum Sustained Yield) is the theoretical maximum number of animals that could be harvested from a population over the long term. This can be accomplished by harvesting from a population that is increasing or growing at its maximum rate (MSYR).

For the lower 95% confidence limit, 44,711, MSY is 375 assuming 2% MSYR. With a 3% MSYR, it increases to 545.

For the upper 95% confidence limit, 116,362, assuming 3% MSYR, MSY is 1,388 animals to be harvested. With 2% MSYR, MSY is reduced to 936.

Combined with the estimate of 112,000 for the Northeast Atlantic, which was reviewed by the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission in 1996, this gives a total estimate of 184,000 minke whales in the Central and Northeast Atlantic.

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