Stejneger's beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) is a rarely seen, deep-diving cetacean found primarily in the cold temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Characterized by its robust body, long beak, and distinctive teeth in adult males, this elusive species is infrequently encountered and little targeted by fisheries. Historically, Japan has been the primary country to occasionally harvest Stejneger's beaked whales, mainly as part of small cetacean hunts, either incidentally or in directed drives. Russia has also reported rare instances of bycatch or strandings. However, there is no significant commercial fishery for this species, and international regulations, such as those under the International Whaling Commission (IWC), have contributed to the protection of beaked whales, further limiting their exploitation. Overall, Stejneger's beaked whale remains largely outside the scope of global fishing industries, with only minimal, localized takes reported in Japan and Russia.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.