A review of small cetacean hunts in Greenland

Abstract

Seven odontocete species are targeted by hunters in Greenland. Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhal (Monodon monoceros) are hunted under annual quotas. Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), white beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), killer whale (Orcinus orca) and long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) are hunted without quotas. From 1993–2023, 109, 645 small cetaceans have been recorded in the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) catch database as hunted in Greenland. The hunt follows the scientific advice in 3 out of 25 populations considered: the hunt is higher than the advice for 12 and there has been no assessment or advice for 10. Population trends are unknown for 14 populations, while numbers are stable or increasing in 6 and decreasing in 4. One population has been extirpated by hunting. Catches of all small cetaceans have increased since data records are available, including for narwhal and beluga since quotas have been in place. In some cases, insufficient monitoring and inaccurate reporting occur and there is a lack of data to assess struck and lost rates and times to death. Narwhals are experiencing significant declines in abundance due to hunting, particularly in East Greenland, where recovery may be compromised. To ensure the protection of small cetaceans in Greenland, management is required for all hunts, consistent with international conservation management recommendations. Measures should ensure sustainability, include stuck and lost and additional anthropogenic threats, be precautionary, based upon up-to-date knowledge of population status and trends and consider welfare aspects and recovery rates.