10947
Open
Common minke whale abundance estimates based on dedicated sighting surveys during 2013-2018
Takashi Hakamada, Taiki Katsumata, Megumi Takahashi and Koji Matsuoka
This paper provides abundance estimate for western North Pacific common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) based on dedicated sighting surveys conducted in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 with IWC oversight. The common minke whale abundances in sub-areas 7, 8, 9, 10E and 11 were estimated by standard methodology following the ‘Requirements and Guidelines for Conducting Surveys and Analysing Data within the Revised Management Scheme’. These estimates are presented for possible use in conditioning of the current Implementation Review for western North Pacific common minke whale.