Biological parameters in a declining population of narwhals (<i>Monodon monoceros</i>) in Scoresby Sound, Southeast Greenland

A decreasing trend in narwhal (Monodon monoceros Linnaeus, 1758) abundance has been identified a small population Scoresby Sound, Southeast Greenland. We hypothesize that excessive hunting affected life history and dynamics of this population. Biological information samples collected from the Inuit hunt, satellite-tagged narwhals official hunters’ reports, were used to estimate age, growth, reproduction. During 2007 through 2019, proportion young increasing older whales harvested. Male female body length male tusk increased significantly, while mass both sexes showed nonsignificant increase. The probability catching decreased decline pregnant was observed biological reports. Narwhal swimming speeds correlated with fluke widths indicated larger attain greater speeds. juveniles females is probably due an opportunistic practice targeting easiest-to-catch whales, where bigger are faster more difficult catch. cumulative effect overharvest declining females, overrepresentation large males, lack calves detrimental implications for