Which marine mammal was nearly hunted to extinction during the 20th century?

The blue whale was nearly hunted to extinction during the 20th century due to extensive whaling practices. These massive marine mammals, which are the largest animals on Earth, were targeted for their blubber, which could be processed into oil, as well as for their meat. The commercial whaling industry led to a dramatic decline in their population numbers. By the mid-20th century, blue whales had become critically endangered, with estimates suggesting that populations had been reduced by as much as 90% from their pre-whaling numbers. Conservation efforts and a global moratorium on commercial whaling have since led to some recovery, but blue whales remain classified as endangered due to their relatively slow reproductive rates and the ongoing threats they face from human activities.