Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Status: needs expert review. Conservation claims cite the IUCN Red List and CITES; a science reviewer should confirm the assessment is current and verify subpopulation details before approval. The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a large baleen whale famous for its long pectoral fins, breaching, and complex song.

At a glance

Field	Value	Source
Scientific name	Megaptera novaeangliae	WoRMS / authority
Guild	cetacean (baleen whale)	—
IUCN status	Least Concern (recovered from Vulnerable), but two subpopulations remain Endangered	IUCN
Population trend	Increasing in much of its range	IUCN Red List
International trade	CITES Appendix I	CITES
Range	All major ocean basins; long seasonal migrations	IUCN Red List

Identification

A large baleen whale with very long pectoral fins (up to roughly a third of body length), a knobbly head (tubercles), and a small dorsal fin on a humped back. Often identified individually by the unique pattern on the underside of the tail fluke — the basis for photo-ID citizen science.

Ecology and behavior

Humpbacks filter-feed on krill and small fish, often using cooperative bubble-net feeding. They undertake some of the longest migrations of any mammal, between high-latitude feeding grounds and low-latitude breeding grounds. Males produce long, structured songs. Behavioral specifics should be cited to published research and confirmed in review.

Conservation status and threats

After severe depletion by commercial whaling, humpback whales have recovered across much of their range and were reassessed by the IUCN as Least Concern, with an increasing trend — a notable conservation success attributed largely to protection from commercial hunting. However, two subpopulations remain Endangered, and the species is listed on CITES Appendix I. Ongoing threats include entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, underwater noise, and habitat change. Report figures as the cited authorities state them; a reviewer should confirm subpopulation specifics.

How to observe responsibly

Whale watching is widespread and often regulated. This page does not provide approach guidance — follow the reviewed observation guide and your region's marine-mammal viewing rules, which set minimum approach distances and disengagement rules. For example, in Western Australia (Ningaloo) humpback interactions are managed by DBCA; see the Ningaloo region briefing. If animals change behavior because of your presence, you are too close — withdraw.

How you can help

• Contribute tail-fluke photos to recognized humpback photo-ID catalogs.
• Log sightings to a recognized citizen-science platform (see the iNaturalist dataset card).
• Support entanglement-response and vessel-strike-reduction programs through credible organizations such as Whale and Dolphin Conservation.