Because the oceans are so large, it is very difficult to accurately gauge the size of a whale population.

There's also a national marine reserve off the coast, which has a gigantic whale population.

The blue whale population, for example, has been reduced by 99 percent.

As of 2001, the Californian gray whale population had grown to about 26,000.

However, it is not known what impact these activities had on the beluga whale population.

That adds up to several hundred encounters for the whale population each year.

One key concern from environmental groups is that the Sakhalin-2 project will harm the western gray whale population.

Astonishing as it may sound, the entire gray whale population of more than 18,000 heads south at about the same time.

In that sense, it may be said to have protected whale populations from even greater exploitation.

The plant operated for a few years but had to shut down around 1908 because of a decline in the whale population.