Feds loosen protections for humpback whales

The Obama administration is removing most humpback whales from the endangered species list as they recover from the depths of extinction.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on Wednesday formally delisted nine of 14 humpback whale species that it says no longer warrant protection.

These humpback whales live in Hawaii, Brazil, Southwest Africa, Southeast Africa, West Australia, East Australia, Oceania, Southeastern Pacific, and the West Indies.

The federal government listed humpback whales as endangered in 1970.

While many humpback whales have recovered, four species remain endangered, according to the NMFS, including those that live in Northwest Africa, Western North Pacific, Central America, and the Arabian Sea.

The NMFS also listed the Mexican population of humpback whales as threatened, which will loosen but not eliminate the protections for these whales.

The changes go into effect in 30 days.