Good afternoon MARMAM,

The 5-year review of the sperm whale's status under the ESA is now available on our website here.  The 5-year review was conducted under section 4(c)(2)(A) of  the ESA and based on available information we have determined the sperm whale should remain classified as endangered. 

The sperm whale was listed in 1970 as “endangered” globally. Although the threat of whaling to the worldwide population is no longer a primary threat, sperm whales continue to face other threats, including vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, anthropogenic noise, exposure to contaminants, climate change, and marine debris. Although data are lacking on the severity of multiple threats, the available evidence indicates that threats are affecting the recovery of sperm whale populations.   

 

More information can be found in the 5-yr review, which can also be found under "key documents" on the NOAA Fisheries sperm whale species page.

Best regards,
 
Jonathan Shannon
Outreach Specialist
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office: 301-427-8431
jonathan.shannon@noaa.gov




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The views expressed in this message are my own and do not necessarily reflect any position of NOAA, the Department of Commerce, or the government of the United States.