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These data show information from 16 ship-based assessment surveys by the Southwest Fisheries Science Center from 1986-2006. Predicted annual densities were smoothed into a continuous grid of density estimates for the surveyed area. Annual grids were averaged and represent the best estimate of Blue Whale density in Washington over the past 20 years.
Blue whales are found in all oceans and are separated into populations by ocean basin. They migrate seasonally between summer and winter, but migratory routes are not well known. Generally, the distribution of grey whales is driven by food requirements. NOAA's Office of Protected Resources reports approximately 2,500 blue whales are present in the North Pacific ocean. Grey whales were listed as an endangered species in 1970 (35 Federal Register 22760). |