In the past, many species of whales were overexploited, and their population sizes decreased dramatically. Eventually, regulations were put in place that made harvesting whales illegal, and populations rebounded. Certain groups of Pacific killer whales are known to have diets that include many different species of marine mammals including gray whale calves. When gray whale populations plummeted during heavy harvesting of whales, populations of killer whales had to rely on other species of marine mammals for food. Which of the following statements reflects a potential result of the overexploitation of whales in the Pacific?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The overexploitation of whales in the Pacific resulted in a decline in gray whale populations. This decline may have negatively impacted other species that relied on gray whales as a food source, such as the Stellar sea lion. Therefore, populations of Stellar sea lions may have declined just after population declines in gray whales. Option B is incorrect because it contradicts the premise of the question. Option C is unlikely as salmon are not a known prey item for killer whales that specialize in feeding on marine mammals. Option D is unlikely as the decline in gray whale populations would not have a direct positive relationship with sea lion populations.

In the Past, Many Species of Whales Were Overexploited, and Their