Top White Whale Fishing Countries

The "white whale" commonly refers to the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), a distinctive, white-skinned cetacean found in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. Belugas are not true fish but marine mammals, and their harvesting has historically been significant for indigenous peoples in Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Alaska (USA), who rely on them for food, oil, and materials. Commercial whaling for belugas was more prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly by Russia and Canada, but has since declined due to conservation measures and international regulations. Today, most beluga harvesting is limited to subsistence hunting by indigenous communities, with Canada and Russia being the main countries where such activities are still permitted and regulated. The global beluga population is carefully monitored, and commercial trade is largely restricted under agreements like CITES, reflecting increased awareness of the species’ ecological importance and vulnerability.

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