Please see: https://iwc.int/estimate
| Species | Ocean Basin | Abundance Estimate | IWC source |
|---|---|---|---|
Abundance estimates and conservation status of large whale species
Responsible Management
Explore this section to find information and resources designed to support managers and regulators
Preparing for a Trip
Explore this section to find information and resources useful to anyone interested in learning more about responsible whale watching throughout the world
Industry Support
Explore this section to find information and resources useful to whale watching tour operators and guides or other industry professionals
Species Information
Click on one of the icons to the right to reveal a full description of the species with photos and labeled illustrations useful for species identification, as well as information on biology, ecology and conservation status of each species. Click here to find downloadable PDF fact sheets for each of the species featured on this site.
Download Resources
Explore this section to find links to downloadable PDF reports, species ID guides, a table of guidelines and regulations from around the world, a glossary of whale-watching terms, and a fully searchable database of over 300 reports and peer-reviewed articles on whale watching.
About the Handbook
This Handbook is designed to support managers, regulators, operators and anyone interested in whale watching. It is a flexible and evolving tool incorporating international best practice, educational resources and a summary of the latest, relevant scientific information. Content has been drafted and sourced in consultation with IWC and CMS affiliated scientists and managers from around the world, and is reviewed each year at the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission.
