User:Elizabeth glensky/sandbox

Reproduction
Sexual maturity in males is estimated to be between 8 to 11 years. There is a increased in secondary growth among some animals at 11 - 15 years of age, with an asymptotic 265 cm. This secondary growth surfe is also characterized by a precipitous increase in testis wight. This secondary growth has an apparent correlation with greatly increased testicular activity to be an event to the attainment of full or social maturity in L. borealis. Secondary increase in growth of males correlated with puberty has been reported in other species of odontocete cetaceans including killer whale (Orcinus orca), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), pilot whales (Globicephala spp.), spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) and eastern spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris).

Females sexual maturation is estimated from 8 to 12 years. Examination of L. borealis ovarian scars indicated that between 1 and 20 corpora were present among mature females. Summer calving season peaks in July and August. The gestation period estimate of 12+ months and the presence of lactating but not reproductively active females in the sample is considered, then the ovulation rate appears high suggesting that some of the observed ovarian activity did not culminate in birth.

Population Status
Lissodelphis borealis is currently listed in the least concern category by the IUCN. The reasoning for this classification is that Lissodelphis borealis is thought to have an abundant population throughout the North Pacific Ocean. All estimates of population abundance are uncertain, but the population off the West Coast of the US is believed to be 9,000 to 21,000 individuals. The current population trend remains unknown.

Predators and Other Major Threats
Natural predators are not known, but may include the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) and large sharks. Stranding are uncommon in this species.

One of the largest threats that the Lissodelphis borealis faced was high-sea driftnets. During the most intense period of the high-sea drift net fishery in 1978 the population stock of Lissodelphis borealis declined anywhere between 24% - 73%. This large discrepancy in the estimate of the population’s decline is due to which population estimate was used. It is estimated that about 15,000 to 24,000 individuals were killed by driftnets used in the squid fishery in the North Pacific.

One reason why the use of high-sea drift nets is so detrimental to the population of the Lissodelphis borealis is because this species is often found in large aggregations, and a drift net has the potential to decimate an entire pod. This fundamental behavior makes the population dynamics of the Lissodelphis borealis more susceptible to threats that have the capability of killing many individuals simultaneously.

Protection
Regulation of international trade between members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and Flora 1973 (CITES), and between non-members and Convention members, has been established by listing the Northern Right Whale Dolphin under Appendix II of the Convention. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has not yet regulated the taking of these odontocetes.

In Canada, the 1982 Cetacean Protection Regulations of the Fisheries Act of Canada prohibit hunting of and other species except by aboriginal peoples who are allowed to take whales for subsistence purposes. In the United States, all cetaceans are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as well as through the Packwood - Magnuson Amendment of the Fisheries and Conservation Act and the Pelly Amendment of the Fisherman’s Protective Act.

One of the most effective conservation measures for Lissodelphis borealis was the U.N. sanctions on the high-seas driftnet fisheries. The high-seas driftnet fishery has been required by law to use pingers, which are devices that deliver an acoustic warning, to help reduce the bycatch of Lissodelphis borealis and other cetaceans around the globe.

The offshore habitat of the Northern Right Whale Dolphin is generally less susceptible to human impact and degradation than are coastal areas.