
Around the globe, humpbacks whales can be found in oceans. The humpback whales travel amazing distances each year, and they have the longest migrations of all mammal species.
According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), some people swim over 5,000 miles to reach tropical breeding areas and cooler, abundant feeding grounds.
Twelve of the fourteen distinct populations are thought to have more than 2000 humpbacks, while two others are less than 200.
Some populations (such as those off eastern and western Australia) are believed to number in excess of 20,000 animals—a remarkable recovery given that the same populations were almost eradicated by whaling almost sixty years ago.
The smallest population, however, is the one that lives in the Arabian Sea all year and could be as low as 80 people.
The combination of climate change, industrial-scale fishing and declines in Krill are some threats to humpbacks whales.
Many types of gear can entangle humpback whales including traps and pots as well as moorings and traps.
The whales can become entangled once they have been able to move their gear. If this happens, however, the whale may be unable to swim for very long distances with the attached gear.
Evidence suggests that most Humpback Whales are susceptible to entanglement, although they can often shed their gear by themselves.
Accidental vessel collisions may cause injury or death to humpback whales.
Despite being vulnerable throughout their range to ship strikes, humpback whales can be more at risk in areas where there is heavy vessel traffic.
Whale populations are at risk from underwater noise, which disrupts their natural behaviour and drives them out of areas that are vital to their survival.
It has been proven that sound can increase the stress hormones of their bodies and mask the natural sounds that humpback whales need to communicate with prey and find them.