Status of the blue whale, (Balaenoptera musculus), in Canada

Abstract:

The blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus 1758) is the largest animal known to have lived on Earth with a maximum reported length of 33.6m (110ft) although the longest scientifically validated was 29.9m (98ft). Three subspecies have been designated: the largest B.m. intermedia is found in Antarctic waters; B.m. musculus in the Northern Hemisphere; and B.m. brevicauda, from the sub-Antarctic zone of the southern Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific Ocean. Two geographically separated populations exist in Canadian waters, one in the western North Atlantic off eastern Canada and one off western Canada in the North Pacific.

Sears R, and J. Calambokidis. 2002. Status of the blue whale, (Balaenoptera musculus), in Canada. Report to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario.
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