Top Humpback Whale Fishing Countries

The humpback whale (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) is a large, migratory baleen whale known for its acrobatic breaches and haunting songs, inhabiting oceans worldwide. Historically, humpback whales were heavily targeted by commercial whaling for their oil, meat, and baleen, with top whaling nations including the United States, Norway, the Soviet Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom. By the mid-20th century, overhunting had decimated populations, prompting international conservation efforts. Today, commercial hunting of humpback whales is banned under the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium, though a few countries—most notably Japan, Norway, and Iceland—have at times continued limited whaling under objections, reservations, or scientific permits, though Japan has not targeted humpbacks in recent years. The focus in these countries has shifted primarily to other whale species, and humpback whale populations have rebounded in many regions, now supporting thriving whale-watching industries instead of commercial harvest.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.