Mesoplodon stejnegeri True, 1885 —Stejneger’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon stejnegeri True, 1884 [1885] p.584; Type locality- Commander Islands, Bering Sea, Russia; Kim et al., 2000 p.80; Kim, 2004 p.235.

Range: Stranding and by-catch of Stejneger’s beaked whales have mostly occurred along the east coast of southern Gangwon Province and Gyeongsangbuk Province (Fig. 87). The population in the East Sea has likely become isolated from the Pacific Ocean (Loughlin & Perez 1985). Few observations of the species have occurred during marine surveys in Korea (Cetacean Research Institute 2007).

Remarks: Although isolated populations reside in the East Sea, the taxonomic status of the population remains uncertain.