Rounded Global Status Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled

Reasons: Two stocks recognized in the North Pacific; population estimate is greater than 300 individuals for entire North Pacific; eastern stock numbers in the tens of individuals. Populations have failed to increase significantly even with protection. Potential threats include inbreeding depression and low population density effects, collisions with ships, entanglement in fishing gear, disturbance by human activity, and changes in food supply as a result of climatic warming.