Sei whale  (Balaenoptera borealis)

Although not a traditional target of the whaling industry, the sei whale began to be exploited after the blue, fin and humpback stocks became depleted and protected (6). This species was then relentlessly hunted in the 1960s and 70s (8), before the International Moratorium on Commercial Whaling came into effect in 1986 (9). At present, the species is vulnerable to chemical and noise pollution (8).

In 1976, this whale received protected status (8), and the moratorium on commercial whaling took effect from 1986 (9). There are ongoing problems with the moratorium however, and Iceland announced in 2001 that it might soon resume commercial whaling of sei, minke and fin whales (8). Other countries also oppose the ban and the future of endangered species such as the sei whale is not yet secure (5). There are signs however, that populations of this little known cetacean are starting to recover from past exploitation (5).