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The western population of North Pacific right whales remains poorly understood and current abundance estimates, range between 400‐1,100 animals. Anthropogenic threats appear to be increasing. Therefore, the Committee: (4) recognises the potential opportunities and impacts associated with whale watching on this species; and therefore: (a) recommends using citizen science to collect photographic and drone‐acquired data that can be added to existing North Pacific right whale catalogues and better determine North Pacific right whale distribution, movement, health and anthropogenic impacts, including evidence of entanglements; (b) recommends that a local Code of Ethics be developed for tour boats to reduce potential disturbance to North Pacific right whales (e.g., Kamchatka); and (c) encourages the submission of future papers on whale watching activities to the whale watching sub‐committee. |