Top Northern Bottlenose Whale Fishing Countries

The Northern Bottlenose Whale (*Hyperoodon ampullatus*) is a deep-diving cetacean found in the North Atlantic, recognized for its bulbous forehead and elongated beak. Historically, this species was heavily targeted by commercial whaling operations, particularly for its valuable oil-rich blubber. The top countries involved in hunting Northern Bottlenose Whales were Norway and the United Kingdom, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Canada also participating to a lesser extent. Norwegian whalers, in particular, developed specialized techniques for deep-water whaling, making them the primary harvesters of this species. Intensive exploitation led to significant population declines, prompting international conservation measures and a near-total cessation of commercial hunting by the late 20th century. Today, the Northern Bottlenose Whale is protected under various international agreements, and there is no legal commercial fishery for this species.

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