Sperm whales in Peru

Physeter macrocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common names:

English = Sperm whale

Spanish = Cachalote

Conservation status of sperm whales:

Sperm whales are protected by the whaling Moratorium of the International Whaling Commission since 1985;
Sperm whales are listed in Annex 1 (endangered species) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (status opposed and not accepted by Japan and Norway);
Sperm whales are listed in Annex C1 (strongest category of protection) of Regulation 3626/82 of the European Union; protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of the United States of America and declared to be “depleted”;
Sperm whales are listed as “endangered” by the Endangered Species Act of the United States of America;
Sperm whales are listed as “insufficiently known” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

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Distribution of sperm whales in Peru:

mayor concentrations between June and August off Pisco (14º S) and between January and March off Paita.

Historical threats for sperm whales:

whaling (between 1951 and 1981 at least 49.858 sperm whales were caught in Peruvian waters)

Whale watching and conservation initiatives:

Whale and dolphin watching offers an economic alternative to whaling and support species conservation. Whale watching tours are also offering research opportunities. Support species conservation and research, while enjoying whales and dolphins in Peru with Nature Expeditions.

Become a dolphin conservation volunteer and support the conservation and research programs of Mundo Azul.

If you have any questions, comments or want to support us, please contact us.

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Page author: Stefan Austermühle

Related links:

Whale and dolphin species of Peru

Go whale watching in Peru

Go dolphin watching in Peru

Whale watching as an alternative to dolphin killing

Be a dolphin conservation volunteer

Adopt a dolphin

Baptize a dolphin