Three narwhale stocks on Greenland’s east coast are near extinction unless an immediate ban on narwhale hunting is introduced, conclude scientists affiliated with the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO), Sermitsiaq reports.

While biologists in 2008 estimated Greenland’s narwhale stock at some 1,945 animals, only 246 remained in 2017. After that, Greenlandic whale hunters have killed off more animals.

Following updated 2019 observations, biologists of NAMMCO’s scientific committee have recommended a total ban along Greenland’s east coast for 2020.

Despite the alarming situation, the narwhale quotas for 2019 were changed from 66 to 84 animals.