scholarly journals Migratory preferences of humpback whales between feeding and breeding grounds in the eastern South Pacific

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 1035-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Acevedo ◽  
Anelio Aguayo-Lobo ◽  
Judith Allen ◽  
Natalia Botero-Acosta ◽  
Juan Capella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Pacific ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Breeding Grounds

scholarly journals First assessment of interchange of humpback whales between Oceania and the East coast of Australia

2020 ◽  
pp. 269-274
Author(s):  
Claire Garrigue ◽  
Trish Franklin ◽  
Rochelle Constantine ◽  
Kirsty Russell ◽  
Daniel Burns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
East Coast ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Cook Island ◽  
Breeding Grounds

The interchange of individual humpback whales between the wintering grounds of Oceania (South Pacific) and the east coast of Australia weredocumented by individual identification photographs collected from 1999 to 2004. Interchange was assessed using regional catalogues of flukephotographs, totalling 672 individuals from Oceania (represented by New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Cook Island,French Polynesia and American Samoa) and 1,242 individuals from Hervey Bay and Byron Bay representing the southbound and the northboundmigration along the east coast of Australia (EA). Overall, there were seven documented movements between EA and Oceania. Four instances ofmovement of four individuals were documented between EA and the closest breeding grounds of New Caledonia. A further three movements wererecorded between EA and a small catalogue (n = 13) from the New Zealand migratory corridor. In contrast, during this same period, 20 cases ofinterchange were documented among nine breeding grounds: French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Niue, American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatuand New Caledonia. The low level of interchange between Oceania and the east coast of Australia has important implications for understanding thestock structure and abundance of humpback whales in the South Pacific.

Population structure of South Pacific humpback whales and the origin of the eastern Polynesian breeding grounds

2007 ◽  
Vol 330 ◽  
pp. 257-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Olavarría ◽  
CS Baker ◽  
C Garrigue ◽  
M Poole ◽  
N Hauser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Breeding Grounds

scholarly journals Searching for humpback whales in a historical whaling hotspot of the Coral Sea, South Pacific

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 67-82
Author(s):  
C Garrigue ◽  
S Derville ◽  
C Bonneville ◽  
CS Baker ◽  
T Cheeseman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Breeding Area ◽  
Pristine Area ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Commercial Whaling

Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae were severely depleted by commercial whaling. Understanding key factors in their recovery is a crucial step for their conservation worldwide. In Oceania, the Chesterfield-Bellona archipelago was a primary whaling site in the 19th century, yet has been left almost unaffected by anthropogenic activities since. We present the results of the first multidisciplinary dedicated surveys in the archipelago assessing humpback whale populations 2 centuries post-whaling. We encountered 57 groups during 24 survey days (2016-2017), among which 35 whales were identified using photographs of natural markings (photo-ID), 38 using genotyping and 22 using both. Humpback whales were sparsely distributed (0.041 whales km-1): most sightings concentrated in shallow inner-reef waters and neighbouring offshore shallow banks. The recently created marine protected area covers most of the areas of high predicted habitat suitability and high residence time from satellite-tracked whales. Surprisingly for a breeding area, sex ratios skewed towards females (1:2.4), and 45% of females were with calf. Connectivity was established with the New Caledonia breeding area to the east (mtDNA FST = 0.001, p > 0.05, 12 photo-ID and 10 genotype matches) and with the Australian Great Barrier Reef breeding area to the west (mtDNA FST = 0.006, p > 0.05). Movement of satellite-tracked whales and photo-ID matches also suggest connections with the east Australian migratory corridor. This study confirms that humpback whales still inhabit the Chesterfield-Bellona archipelago 2 centuries post whaling, and that this pristine area potentially plays a role in facilitating migratory interchange among breeding grounds of the western South Pacific.

scholarly journals Movement of individual humpback whales between wintering grounds of Oceania (South Pacific), 1999 to 2004

2020 ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
Claire Garrigue ◽  
Rochelle Constantine ◽  
Michael Poole ◽  
Nan Hauser ◽  
Phil Clapham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Caledonia ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Wintering Grounds ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Directional Trend

The movement of individual humpback whales between regional breeding grounds of Oceania (South Pacific) was documented by individualidentification photographs collected from 1999 to 2004. Photographs were collected with comparable effort across the six years in four primaryisland breeding grounds: New Caledonia, Tonga (Vava’u) the Cook Islands and French Polynesia (Mo’orea and Rurutu); with smaller effort inadjacent regions: Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Niue and American Samoa. Interchange among wintering grounds was assessed first with all usablephotographs included in each regional catalogue, representing 1,080 regional sightings (including within-region and between-region resightings)of 949 individual whales from Oceania. From this, 28 cases of movement between (mostly adjacent) regions were documented. Previouslyundocumented interchange was found between regions of central Oceania and the western South Pacific. No individual was sighted in more thantwo regions during this six-year period. The documented movement between regions was one-directional, except for one individual sighted first inFrench Polynesia, then in American Samoa and then back in French Polynesia (each in different years). Only one whale was resighted in more thanone region during the same winter season. No directional trend was apparent and movement between regions did not seem to be sex specific. Asystematic quality control review of all catalogues was then implemented to calculate standardised indices of within-region return and betweenregion interchange, resulting in a quality controlled catalogue of 776 regional sightings of 659 individuals. The standardised indices confirmed thatthe probability of between-region interchange was low, relative to within-region return, supporting the assumption of multiple management unitsor stocks in Oceania. The relative isolation of breeding regions and the movement of individuals across the longitudinal borders of Antarcticmanagement Areas V and VI has important implications for the allocation of historical catches from the Antarctic and therefore, for assessingcurrent levels of recovery for breeding stocks

scholarly journals Multi-year presence of humpback whales in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean but not during El Niño

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Schall ◽  
Karolin Thomisch ◽  
Olaf Boebel ◽  
Gabriele Gerlach ◽  
Sari Mangia Woods ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
Atlantic Sector ◽  
Acoustic Data ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Passive Acoustic

AbstractHumpback whales are thought to undertake annual migrations between their low latitude breeding grounds and high latitude feeding grounds. However, under specific conditions, humpback whales sometimes change their migratory destination or skip migration overall. Here we document the surprising persistent presence of humpback whales in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean during five years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2018) using passive acoustic data. However, in the El Niño years 2015 and 2016, humpback whales were virtually absent. Our data show that humpback whales are systematically present in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean and suggest that these whales are particularly sensitive to climate oscillations which have profound effects on winds, sea ice extent, primary production, and especially krill productivity.

A longitudinal study of humpback whales in Irish waters

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conor Ryan ◽  
Pádraig Whooley ◽  
Simon D. Berrow ◽  
Colin Barnes ◽  
Nick Massett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
The Public ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
The North ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Eastern North Atlantic

Knowledge on the ecology of humpback whales in the eastern North Atlantic is lacking by comparison with most other ocean basins. Humpback whales were historically over-exploited in the region and are still found in low relative abundances. This, coupled with their large range makes them difficult to study. With the aim of informing more effective conservation measures in Ireland, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group began recording sightings and images suitable for photo-identification of humpback whales from Irish waters in 1999. Validated records submitted by members of the public and data from dedicated surveys were analysed to form a longitudinal study of individually recognizable humpback whales. The distribution, relative abundance and seasonality of humpback whale sighting records are presented, revealing discrete important areas for humpback whales in Irish coastal waters. An annual easterly movement of humpback whales along the southern coast of Ireland is documented, mirroring that of their preferred prey: herring and sprat. Photo-identification images were compared with others collected throughout the North Atlantic (N = 8016), resulting in matches of two individuals between Ireland and Iceland, Norway and the Netherlands but no matches to known breeding grounds (Cape Verde and West Indies). This study demonstrates that combining public records with dedicated survey data is an effective approach to studying low-density, threatened migratory species over temporal and spatial scales that are relevant to conservation and management.

Behavioural reactions of wintering humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to biopsy sampling in the western South Atlantic

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 1701-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Cantor ◽  
Taiana Cachuba ◽  
Luena Fernandes ◽  
Márcia H. Engel
Keyword(s):  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Conservation Policies ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Large Groups

Molecular analysis has become a powerful tool in cetacean ecology since it supports efficient conservation policies. Remote biopsy sampling is the most efficient method to obtain epithelial material for analysis purposes; however, as an intrusive technique it presents inherent costs, evidenced by behavioural reactions. Clarifying which factors influence these responses is essential to assess its impact and prevent possible long-term effects. For eleven winters, samples from humpback whales were collected in the Abrolhos Bank, the main breeding ground of this species in the western South Atlantic. We analysed the influence of several characteristics of the shot, vessels, groups and behaviour on the frequency and intensity of the whales' response. The majority of biopsied whales did not show any detectable response. Among those that responded, a low-level category of reaction was most frequent. The use of larger boats resulted in less intense responses. Responses were influenced by group size and behavioural state: large groups, which were involved in aggressive mating behaviour, reacted less frequently than smaller groups. Females with calves showed less intense reactions than non-lactating females. The behaviour of the animals prior to and during the boat approach also affected their response: resting whales responded more intensely than whales involved in social or travel activities. Comparison with previous studies confirmed that reactions vary in intensity according to location: whales biopsied in feeding grounds responded with more intensity than those in breeding grounds, which in turn responded more intensely than whales in migration. This study reinforces existing evidence that biopsy sampling is unlikely to have long-term effects and can thus continue to be used as one of the main tools to access information which is vital for conservation.

Possible Sexing Technique for Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 2362-2364 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. P. Jurasz ◽  
D. McSweeney ◽  
C. M. Jurasz
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Feature ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Pregnant Female ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Reasonable Accuracy ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Breeding Grounds

By comparing photographs of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) photographed at the peak of their arch during a dive, we found some to be smooth and others to be scalloped middorsally caudal to the dorsal fin. Out of 410 photographs taken in southeast Alaska and Hawaii, 66% were found to be smooth and 34% scalloped. All females with calves were smooth. One pregnant female was smooth and only one female who was pregnant was slightly scalloped. One known male was scalloped and one "singer" on the Hawaiian breeding grounds was scalloped. We suggest that the smoothness or scalloping of this region is a morphological feature and can be used with reasonable accuracy to determine sex in humpback whales.Key words: humpback whales, morphology, sex

Site fidelity and residence times of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the Brazilian coast

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 1783-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarêncio G. Baracho-Neto ◽  
Elitieri Santos Neto ◽  
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos ◽  
Leonardo L. Wedekin ◽  
Mariana C. Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Residence Time ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Occupancy Rate ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
Using Data

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate between their feeding grounds, located in high latitudes, and their breeding grounds, located in low latitudes, exhibiting certain levels of site fidelity to their migratory destinations. The residence time, also known as occupancy rate, can be defined as the minimum number of days that those individuals remained in the same area. In this paper, site fidelity and residence time of humpback whales that breed off the northern coast of Bahia, Brazil were investigated. Data were collected between 2000 and 2009 on-board research cruises and whale watching vessels. This paper also studies possible differences between males and females with respect to site fidelity off the Brazilian coast, using data collected since 1989. A total of 841 whales were photo-identified. The vast majority of the whales (96%, N = 809) were seen only once in the studied area, while 4% (32 individuals) were seen twice. Most of the resights occurred within the same season (72%, N = 23), while 9 resights (28%) occurred in different years. None of the individuals were seen more than twice. The average site fidelity rate was 1% and the occupancy rate varied from one up to 21 days (mean = 5.3; SD = 5.4, N = 23).

scholarly journals Population structure of humpback whales in the western and central South Pacific Ocean as determined by vocal exchange among populations

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1198-1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen C. Garland ◽  
Anne W. Goldizen ◽  
Matthew S. Lilley ◽  
Melinda L. Rekdahl ◽  
Claire Garrigue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
South Pacific Ocean ◽  
Vocal Exchange ◽  
Central South
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