Grey Whales Population Recovery

Grey whale population recovery refers to the rebound of the eastern North Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) after commercial whaling nearly wiped it out. The Fish and Wildlife Service removed this population from the US endangered species list on 16 June 1994, the first marine mammal delisted for recovery under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. By then the population had reached roughly its pre-whaling size, estimated near 21,000 animals, at an estimated 60% to 90% of carrying capacity. The western North Pacific population stays critically low and remains ESA-listed as endangered.