The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has declared a moratorium on commercial whaling and made it illegal to catch, hunt, injure, or kill all species of whale, including the Blue Whale. Additionally, the US government has placed Blue Whales under the protection of the Endangered Species Act since 1970, making it illegal to take, import, export, or sell any Blue Whale or its products. Furthermore, the United Nations and other international organizations have declared the largest areas of the ocean off-limits to human activities such as fishing, oil drilling, and other activities that may harm cetaceans like Blue Whales. Finally, several nations have established Marine Protected Areas to serve as habitats for the whale population, helping to ensure that the species does not become too depleted.