For the first time ever, humpback whales are on the rebound as populations continue to increase in recent years as the majestic marine mammals are taken off the Endangered Species List.

According to Angela Somma of the Endangered Species Division at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, nine out of ten species will no longer need protection under the Endangered Species Act and will not be listed as an endangered species.

Like Us on Facebook

The humpback whale species has been on the endangered list for more than 40 years. Due to whaling practices in the last 100 years, these have proven to be a major threat to these marine mammals as they continue to struggle for survival.

The Unites States government established federal protection as 14 species of humpback whale populations dwelling around the globe, resulting in gradual population growth. Somma adds, now, only four species are still considered endangered while one is under threat.

Major causes of whale populations threats involve commercial fishing hazards where the animals accidentally get caught with fishing gear. Other dangers include collisions with underwater vehicles and ships, and ecosystem threats due to exploring new sources of energy.

Apart from this, scientists say that the whales are not suffering the effects of a warming world due to climate change and global warming. According to NOAA's Endangered Species Division scientist, Marta Nammack, there are no significant findings about the impact of climate change, contributing to the whales' extinction risk today and in the future.

There is an estimated 11,000 whales that visit the Hawaiian islands every year, increasing at a rate of five to six percent each year.

However, even with this lifting of federal protection, the whales are still under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which means that humans are still prohibited from hunting, hurting and harassing the marine creatures. There is still a certain distance required to keep away from the whales for people on boats. Somma explains, this safe distance is deemed necessary for humpback whale conservation.