Sightings off Southern Africa suggest blue and fin whales may be rebounding
Reported byMongabay ↗·Sourced by Goodlede
Sightings of blue whales and fin whales off Southern Africa's Atlantic coast have increased sharply—95% of recorded sightings since 2012—suggesting recovery after near-extinction from 20th-century whaling that killed approximately 1.075 million whales combined; current populations are estimated at 3% (blue) and 30% (fin) of pre-whaling levels.
Current populations remain far below pre-whaling abundance; reaching 50% recovery would mark successful recovery. Increased sightings could reflect migration patterns rather than absolute population growth.
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