Achieving socioeconomic recovery and biodiversity restoration objectives through gray whale reintroduction

Nevin, Owen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3513-8053 and Ramsey, Andrew D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5550-9977 (2005) Achieving socioeconomic recovery and biodiversity restoration objectives through gray whale reintroduction. In: 19th Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology, 15-19 July 2005, Universidade de Brasilia, DF, Brazil. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This paper presents an ecological and socioeconomic case for the reintroduction of the Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) to the North Atlantic from the harvestable surplus in the eastern north Pacific. The Gray whale population in the eastern North Atlantic was hunted to extinction in the 17th century. A similar fate almost befell the eastern north Pacific population; however this population has demonstrated a dramatic recovery. European and UK legislation state objectives to ’protect and conserve the ecosystems and the biological diversity of the maritime area, and to restore, where practicable, marine areas which have been adversely affected’. In addition, this reintroduction has broad public support. In a questionnaire based survey 90% of respondents were in favour of Gray whale restoration, compared to only 56% for both grey wolf and brown bear. Successful reestablishment will contribute to the redevelopment of deprived coastal communities through sustainable ecotourism; 81% of respondents would be willing to take a trip to see Gray whales while 53% would add an extra day to their trip. Whilst the proposal appears controversial, there are fewer potential negative impacts of this reintroduction than would be associated with the reintroduction of several terrestrial mammals.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Departments:	Academic Departments > Science, Natural Resources & Outdoor Studies (SNROS) > Forestry and Conservation
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	30 Mar 2011 16:20
Last Modified:	11 Jan 2024 19:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/930

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