Stanford study finds Antarctic whale population is not booming.

A new study led by Hopkins Marine Station Director Steve Palumbi punches a blowhole in a scientific debate about minke whale numbers.

Experts have wondered whether 20th century hunting of large whales may have benefitted a smaller cousin, the Antarctic minke whale. The hypothesis was that as larger whales declined, minke numbers exploded due to less competition for food.

Palumbi's study, in collaboration with fellow Stanford scientist Kristen Ruegg and three others, finds that the minke population has not grown--and, in fact, may be on the decline.

Genetic diversity in the current minke whale population indicates about 670,000 minke swam in the Southern Ocean before whaling. Current minke populations are probably within the same range, Palumbi et al report, though they caution about the uncertainty of the estimation.

Another report suggests minkes may be in decline, dropping from about 790,000 in 1985-1991 to 340,000 in 1991-2004.

"By testing and rejecting a hypothesis about the past number of minke whales, the current study clears the way for better management," the press release states. Minke whales are still hunted and sold in Japanese seafood markets, ostensibly to help pay for Japanese scientific whaling voyages (a controversial exception to international whaling restrictions).

Palumbi presents the issue in a YouTube "microdocumentary":

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