Status, Conservation Efforts, Distribution and Migration
Above: The Humpback Whale is distributed throughout all the world's oceans. In the summer, the whales migrate to temperate and polar waters to feed. In the winter, the whales migrate to warmer water for mating.
Status and Conservation efforts:
The Humpback Whale population is fewer than 10% of the original make up which makes them one of the most endangered whales. In the early 1900's, these whales were hunted since their feeding, calving and mating occurs close to shore. Then, in the 1960's, the IWC (International Whaling Commission) stepped in to the scene and provided the whales with protection status throughout the world. Now, there are about 10,000-20,000 humpbacks whales world-wide.
Not just the humpbacks, but all whales are protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States. There are regulations that follow such strong acts. If any human being violates these regulations set, they can be fined up to $25,000.
Another organization that has taken part is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). They provide aid and protect the endangered species like the humpback whale.