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1970 1980 Grey seal Thousands of pups 1990 2000 2010
Harp seal Millions
Bowhead whale Thousands
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 0
Marine mammal populations in North America are recovering from past over-harvesting, including grey seals in the Scotian Shelf and Gulf of St. Lawrence, harp seals in the Gulf of Maine and Scotian Shelf, western Arctic bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in the Beaufort Sea, Stellar sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), sea otters (Enhydra lutris), and the Pacific harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). Resident killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations off the coasts of Vancouver Island have also recovered from previous commercial overexploitation but have begun to decline in recent years, possibly related to declines in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), an important food source. Source: Federal Provincial, Territorial Governments of Canada 2010