DOCSLIB.ORG

Fin Whale Sighting North of Kaua'i, Hawai'i1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Fin Whale Sighting North of Kaua'i, Hawai'i1 Pacific Science (1996), vol. 50, no. 2: 230-233 © 1996 by University of Hawai'i Press. All rights reserved Fin Whale Sighting North of Kaua'i, Hawai'i1 J. R. MOBLEY, JR.,2 M. SMULTEA,3 T. NORRIs,4 AND D. WELLER 5 ABSTRACT: A rare fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) sighting occurred on 26 February 1994 during an aerial survey of waters north of the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. The sighting occurred ca. 24 nm north of Makaha Point, at 22 0 31.5' N, 159 0 44.5' W. The fin whale was accompanied by an adult hump­ back whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) during the entire 25 min of observation. Fin whales are not unknown in Hawaiian waters, but the most recent confirmed sighting on record for Hawaiian waters was 16 February 1979. ON 26 FEBRUARY 1994, during a marine sun-streak effects; however, the tentative mammal aerial survey of waters north of the identification by the survey team was that of Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, a large balae­ a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus, nopterid whale was sighted ca. 24 nm north 1758). In an attempt to validate this tentative of Makaha Point (22 0 31.5' N, 159 0 44.5' W) identification, a panel of eight reviewers, all in waters of ca. 2000 fathoms (3700 m). The skilled in the identification of balaenopterids whale was circled for 25 min at an altitude of in the field and from the air, was asked to 250 m, during which time verbal observa­ provide their respective identifications after tions of behavior and diagnostic character­ review of photographs, videotape, and field istics were recorded on audio tape and still notes provided by the survey team. Each of photographs and video footage were col­ the reviewers identified the subject as a fin lected. Approximately 4 min after the initial whale; however, only four of them expressed sighting, a large adult humpback whale a high degree of confidence in their identi­ (Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781) fication. was sighted within one whale-body length of Positive identification was made difficult the balaenopterid and in the same general by the fact that not all of the distinguishing orientation. The humpback remained in as­ characteristics typically used to identify fin sociation with the balaenopterid throughout whales were present or clearly visible (i.e., the entire observation period, but was visible chevron and white coloration on right lower only upon surfacings spaced ca. 10 min apart. jaw). Observations of the whale from the The presence ofthe humpback whale afforded aircraft clearly showed the slender fusiform an opportunity for interspecific comparisons body shape of a balaenopterid. After re­ of relative size and behavior (Figure 1). peated passes at constant altitude, the sug­ Real-time identification of the balaenop­ gestion of some white coloration on the right terid whale was made difficult by anomalous lower jaw was noted and was also sub­ lighting conditions resulting from glare and sequently noted from portions of the video footage, but in neither case was this ob- servation clear enough to rule out the possi­ 1 Manuscript accepted 27 September 1995. bility of reflection from the water's surface. 2 Social Sciences, University of Hawai'i-West Oahu, 96-043 Ala 'Ike, Pearl City, Hawai'i 96782. Similarly, a characteristic dorsal chevron was 3 Foster Wheeler Environmental, Inc., 10900 NE 8th not clearly visible during observations; how­ St., Bellevue, Washington 98004-4405. ever, this feature is not universal in all fin 4Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, P.O. Box 450, whales (Leatherwood et al. 1988). The clear­ Moss Landing, California 96039-0450. est diagnostic characteristics observed were 5 Marine Mammal Research Program, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 4700 Avenue U, Bldg 303, the shape of the head, shape of the flukes, Galveston, Texas 77551-5923. size and placement of the dorsal fin, and the 230 FIGURE 1. Fin whale sighted in waters north of Kaua'i, Hawai'i (26 February 1994,220 31.5' N, 159 0 44.5' W). Shown with accompanying adult humpback whale (above) and after breaking surface to blow (below) (photos by M. Smultea). _MlfiMEfflt.p"iM@€¥#N tmiti# •. ·J2#€W:iit!1!ir.mxr~~1Il!8.!!- 232 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Volume 50, April 1996 estimated body length. The head shape was a fin whale off Kohakuloa, Maui, between intermediate between a U shape and a V 1936 and 1988, but gave no specific date. An shape, relatively flat, and characterized by a acoustic monitoring study, recording from single, prominent median ridge. The flukes two bottom-mounted hydrophones located were slender and rather narrow from verte­ off northern O'ahu, identified fin whale bral insertion to fluke notch. The dorsal fin vocalizations during every month of the was relatively large and clearly falcate, ap­ year except June and July during the period pearing on the caudal third of the body. December 1978 to April 1981 (Thompson Based on a series of measurements taken and Friedl 1982). from the photographs and video images, and Fin whales of the eastern North Pacific the fact that the humpback whale accom­ show seasonal variations and range as far panying the fin whale was judged to be a north as the Bering Sea to as far south as large adult, ca. 16 m long, body length was central Baja California (Leatherwood et al. estimated by S. Leatherwood (pers. comm.) 1988). Tagging of fin whales has revealed to be ca. 22-23 m. The prominent falcate movement from winter (November-January) dorsal fin and more V-shaped head appeared grounds off southern California to summer to rule out identification as a blue whale (May-July) grounds off central California, (Balaenoptera musculus Linnaeus, 1758), and Oregon, and British Columbia, and into the the estimated body size also ruled out a sei Gulf of Alaska. They are believed to winter whale (Balaenoptera borealis Lesson, 1828) far offshore of the North American coast, or a Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni An­ during which time sightings in Hawaiian derson, 1878) as possibilities (Leatherwood et waters are more likely. Leatherwood et al. al. 1988). (1988) estimated the North Pacific popula­ During the entire observation session, the tion of fin whales to be ca. 16,000. whale remained motionless just beneath the surface of the water, rising vertically only to breathe. Surfacing behavior was charac­ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS terized by the top of the head breaking the surface first, a gradual arching of the back We extend our appreciation to Steve while rolling forward, and finally exposure of Leatherwood, Sally Mizroch, Dale W. Rice, the dorsal fin. The head and the dorsal fin Richard Rowlett, Steve Katona, Robert Pit­ were not observed at the surface simulta­ man, Wayne Hoggard, and Keith Mullin, all neously. The blow characteristic was colum­ of whom took the time to review our sighting nar for approximately the first half of the documentation and give us written replies. blow and developed into a bushy appearance Thanks also to John (Keoni) McFadden, our toward the latter half of the blow. The blow pilot. Our surveys were supported by the was very tall and powerful, extending 4-5 m Strategic Environmental Research and De­ into the air. velopment Program through the Advanced Fin whales are not unknown in Hawaiian Research Projects Agency (ARPA) (Grant waters, but are sufficiently rare to be worthy MDA972-93-1-003) as part of the Acoustic of note. Balcomb (1987) reported 8 to 12 fin Thermometry ofOcean Climate, Marine Mam­ whales ca. 400 km south of Honolulu on 20 mal Research Program (ATOC MMRP). May 1966 and noted another sighting "near Hawaii" as well as a stranding, without fur­ ther detail. Shallenberger (1981) reported a LITERATURE CITED sighting made by National Marine Fisheries Service personnel north of O'ahu in May BALCOMB, K. c., III. 1987. The whales of 1976. Rice (cited in Shallenberger 1981) Hawaii. Marine Mammal Fund, San sighted a lone fin whale at 21 0 24' N, 158 0 23' Francisco, California. W in the Kaua'i Channel on 16 February LEATHERWOOD, S., R. R. REEVES, W. F. 1979. Nitta (1987) noted a single stranding of PERRIN, and W. E. EVANS. 1988. Whales, Fin Whale Sighting in Hawai'i-MoBLEY ET AL. 233 dolphins and porpoises of the eastern SHALLENBERGER, E. W. 1981. The status of North Pacific and adjacent Arctic waters. Hawaiian cetaceans. Final Report to U.S. Dover Publications, New York. Marine Mammal Commission. Report NI1TA, G. 1987. The marine mammal No. MMC-77/23. (Available from Na­ stranding network for Hawaii: An over­ tional Technical Information Services, view. Pages 55-62 in J. E. Reynolds III U.S. Department of Commerce, Spring­ and D. K. Odell, eds. Proceedings of the field, Virginia 22151.) 2nd Marine Mammal Stranding Work­ THOMPSON, P.O., and W. A. FRIEDL. 1982. shop, Miami, Florida, 3-5 December A long term study of low frequency 1987. National Technical Information sounds from several species of whales off Service, Springfield, Virginia. Oahu, Hawaii. Cetology 45: 1-19. "2.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Order CETACEA Suborder MYSTICETI BALAENIDAE Eubalaena Glacialis (Müller, 1776) EUG En - Northern Right Whale; Fr - Baleine De Biscaye; Sp - Ballena Franca
    click for previous page Cetacea 2041 Order CETACEA Suborder MYSTICETI BALAENIDAE Eubalaena glacialis (Müller, 1776) EUG En - Northern right whale; Fr - Baleine de Biscaye; Sp - Ballena franca. Adults common to 17 m, maximum to 18 m long.Body rotund with head to 1/3 of total length;no pleats in throat; dorsal fin absent. Mostly black or dark brown, may have white splotches on chin and belly.Commonly travel in groups of less than 12 in shallow water regions. IUCN Status: Endangered. BALAENOPTERIDAE Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacepède, 1804 MIW En - Minke whale; Fr - Petit rorqual; Sp - Rorcual enano. Adult males maximum to slightly over 9 m long, females to 10.7 m.Head extremely pointed with prominent me- dian ridge. Body dark grey to black dorsally and white ventrally with streaks and lobes of intermediate shades along sides.Commonly travel singly or in groups of 2 or 3 in coastal and shore areas;may be found in groups of several hundred on feeding grounds. IUCN Status: Lower risk, near threatened. Balaenoptera borealis Lesson, 1828 SIW En - Sei whale; Fr - Rorqual de Rudolphi; Sp - Rorcual del norte. Adults to 18 m long. Typical rorqual body shape; dorsal fin tall and strongly curved, rises at a steep angle from back.Colour of body is mostly dark grey or blue-grey with a whitish area on belly and ventral pleats.Commonly travel in groups of 2 to 5 in open ocean waters. IUCN Status: Endangered. 2042 Marine Mammals Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1878 BRW En - Bryde’s whale; Fr - Rorqual de Bryde; Sp - Rorcual tropical.
    [Show full text]
  • Fin Whale Balaenoptera Physalus
    Natural Heritage Fin Whale & Endangered Species Balaenoptera physalus Program State Status: Endangered www.mass.gov/nhesp Federal Status: Endangered Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife DESCRIPTION: Fin Whales can weigh between 40 and 80 tons and measure 22 to 26 meters long, second in size only to the Blue Whale. Females tend to be slightly larger than males by 5-10%. Fin Whales have a sleek, streamlined body with a V-shaped head and are dark grey to brown on top, with white underneath. They have a tall, hooked, dorsal fin located two-thirds of the way down their body. Fin Whales are commonly called Razorbacks for the ridges on the middle of the back behind the dorsal fin. The unique asymmetrical coloration on the head easily separates this species from all of the other baleen whales. On the right side, the lower jaw is white, and the baleen plates in the front half of the mouth are also white, but abruptly change to dark Photo courtesy of NOAA in the back half of the mouth. By contrast, the lower left jaw is gray and all of the baleen plates on the left side are dark. This coloration may aid in herding fish during east of Boston and Cape Ann. Although there are feeding, although its primary purpose is unknown. seasonal fluctuations, the Fin Whale is most common in New England from April to November. Massachusetts RANGE: Fin Whales prefer deep, offshore waters of all waters are a major feeding ground for Fin Whales on the the major oceans, primarily in temperate and polar east coast of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall Feeding Aggregations of Fin Whales Off Elephant Island (Antarctica)
    SC/64/SH9 Fall feeding aggregations of fin whales off Elephant Island (Antarctica) BURKHARDT, ELKE* AND LANFREDI, CATERINA ** * Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine research, Am Alten Hafen 26, 256678 Bremerhaven, Germany ** Politecnico di Milano, University of Technology, DIIAR Environmental Engineering Division Pza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy Abstract From 13 March to 09 April 2012 Germany conducted a fisheries survey on board RV Polarstern in the Scotia Sea (Elephant Island - South Shetland Island - Joinville Island area) under the auspices of CCAMLR. During this expedition, ANT-XXVIII/4, an opportunistic marine mammal survey was carried out. Data were collected for 26 days along the externally preset cruise track, resulting in 295 hrs on effort. Within the study area 248 sightings were collected, including three different species of baleen whales, fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ), and Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis ) and one toothed whale species, killer whale ( Orcinus orca ). More than 62% of the sightings recorded were fin whales (155 sightings) which were mainly related to the Elephant Island area (116 sightings). Usual group sizes of the total fin whale sightings ranged from one to five individuals, also including young animals associated with adults during some encounters. Larger groups of more than 20 whales, and on two occasions more than 100 individuals, were observed as well. These large pods of fin whales were observed feeding in shallow waters (< 300 m) on the north-western shelf off Elephant Island, concordant with large aggregations of Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ). This observation suggests that Elephant Island constitutes an important feeding area for fin whales in early austral fall, with possible implications regarding the regulation of (krill) fisheries in this area.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scientific Reports of the Whales Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
    THE SCIENTIFIC REPORTS OF THE WHALES RESEARCH INSTITUTE, TOKYO, JAPAN NUMBER 1, JUNE 1948 Akiya, S. and Tejima, S. Studies on Digestive Enzyme in Whale. 3-7 Akiya, S., Ishikawa, Y., Tejima, S. and Tanazawa, T. Studies on Tryptase from a Whale (Balaenoptera borealis L.) 8-10 Akiya, S., Tejima, S. and Ishikawa, Y. Studies on the Utilization of Whale Meat by the use of Pancreatic Tryptase of Whales. 11-14 Akiya, S. and Kobo, F. The Test Culture of Some Microorganisms with Whale Meat Peptone. 15-16 Nakai, T. Chemical Studies on the Freshness of Whale Meat. I. Evaluation of Freshness and Changes in Quantity of Several Kinds of Nitrogen in Whale Meat Following Deterioration of Freshness. 17-26 Nakai, T. Chemical Studies on the Freshness of Whale Meat. II. On Comparison between Whale Meat and Beef on Deteioration of Freshness and Autolysis. 27-30 Tawara, T. On the Simultaneous Extraction of Vitamin A-D and Vitamin B2 Complex from the Liver of a Fin Whale (Nagasu-Kujira, Balaenoptera physalus L.). 31-37 Tawara, T. Studies on Whale Blood. I. On the Separation of Histidine from Whale Blood. 38--40 Nakai, J. and Shida, T. Sinus-hairs of the Sei-Whale (Balaenoptera-borealis). 41--47 NUMBER 2, DECEMBER 1948 Ogawa, T. and Arifuku, S. On the Acoustic System in the Cetacean Brains. 1-20 Yamada, M. Auditory Organ of the Whalebone Whales. (Preliminary Report). 21-30 Nakai, T. Chemical Studies on the Freshness of Whale Meat. III. Effect of Hydrogen-ion Concentration on Decrease in Freshness and Titration Curve of Whale Meat with HCl and Na2C0 3 • 31-34 Ishikawa, S., Omote, Y.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Mammals of British Columbia Current Status, Distribution and Critical Habitats
    Marine Mammals of British Columbia Current Status, Distribution and Critical Habitats John Ford and Linda Nichol Cetacean Research Program Pacific Biological Station Nanaimo, BC Outline • Brief (very) introduction to marine mammals of BC • Historical occurrence of whales in BC • Recent efforts to determine current status of cetacean species • Recent attempts to identify Critical Habitat for Threatened & Endangered species • Overview of pinnipeds in BC Marine Mammals of British Columbia - 25 Cetaceans, 5 Pinnipeds, 1 Mustelid Baleen Whales of British Columbia Family Balaenopteridae – Rorquals (5 spp) Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus SARA Status = Endangered Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus = Threatened = Spec. Concern Sei Whale Balaenoptera borealis Family Balaenidae – Right Whales (1 sp) Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata North Pacific Right Whale Eubalaena japonica Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Family Eschrichtiidae– Grey Whales (1 sp) Grey Whale Eschrichtius robustus Toothed Whales of British Columbia Family Physeteridae – Sperm Whales (3 spp) Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus Pygmy Sperm Whale Kogia breviceps Dwarf Sperm Whale Kogia sima Family Ziphiidae – Beaked Whales (4 spp) Hubbs’ Beaked Whale Mesoplodon carlhubbsii Stejneger’s Beaked Whale Mesoplodon stejnegeri Baird’s Beaked Whale Berardius bairdii Cuvier’s Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris Toothed Whales of British Columbia Family Delphinidae – Dolphins (9 spp) Pacific White-sided Dolphin Lagenorhynchus obliquidens Killer Whale Orcinus orca Striped Dolphin Stenella
    [Show full text]
  • Rorqual Whale (Balaenopteridae) Surface Lunge-Feeding Behaviors: Standardized Classification, Repertoire Diversity, and Evolutionary Analyses
    MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, 30(4): 1335–1357 (October 2014) © 2014 Society for Marine Mammalogy DOI: 10.1111/mms.12115 Rorqual whale (Balaenopteridae) surface lunge-feeding behaviors: Standardized classification, repertoire diversity, and evolutionary analyses BRIAN W. KOT,1 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, California 90095-1606 U.S.A. and Mingan Island Cetacean Study, Inc., 378 Bord de la Mer, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec G0G 1V0, Canada; RICHARD SEARS, Mingan Island Cetacean Study, Inc., 378 Bord de la Mer, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec G0G 1V0, Canada; DANY ZBINDEN, Meriscope Marine Research Station, 7 chemin de la Marina, Portneuf-sur-Mer, Quebec G0T 1P0, Canada; ELIZABETH BORDA, Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, Texas 77553, U.S.A.; MALCOLM S. GORDON, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 621 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, California 90095-1606, U.S.A. Abstract Rorqual whales (Family: Balaenopteridae) are the world’s largest predators and sometimes feed near or at the sea surface on small schooling prey. Most rorquals cap- ture prey using a behavioral process known as lunge-feeding that, when occurring at the surface, often exposes the mouth and head above the water. New technology has recently improved historical misconceptions about the natural variation in rorqual lunge-feeding behavior yet missing from the literature is a dedicated study of the identification, use, and evolution of these behaviors when used to capture prey at the surface. Here we present results from a long-term investigation of three rorqual whale species (minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata; fin whale, B.
    [Show full text]
  • WHALES of the ANTARCTIC PENINSULA Science and Conservation for the 21St Century CONTENTS
    THIS REPORT HAS BEEN PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH REPORT ANTARCTICA 2018 WHALES OF THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA Science and Conservation for the 21st Century CONTENTS Infographic: Whales of the Antarctic Peninsula 4 1. PROTECTING OCEAN GIANTS UNDER INCREASING PRESSURES 6 2. WHALES OF THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA 8 Species found in the Antarctic Peninsula are still recovering from commercial whaling 10 Infographic: Humpback whale migration occurs over multiple international and national jurisdictions 12 Whales face several risks in the region and during migrations 15 Authors: Dr Ari Friedlaender (UC Santa Cruz), Michelle Modest (UC Baleen whales use the Antarctic Peninsula to feed on krill Santa Cruz) and Chris Johnson (WWF Antarctic programme). – the keystone species of the Antarctic food chain 16 Contributors: Infographic: The Western Antarctic Peninsula is critical Dr David Johnston (Duke University), Dr Jennifer Jackson feeding habitat for humpback whales 20 (British Antarctic Survey) and Dr Sarah Davie (WWF-UK). Whales play a critical role in Southern Ocean ecosystems 22 Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Rod Downie (WWF-UK), Dr Reinier Hille Ris Lambers (WWF-NL), Rick Leck (WWF-Aus), 3. NEW SCIENCE IS CHANGING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHALES 24 Duke University Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab, California Ocean Alliance and One Ocean Expeditions. Technology is providing scientists and policymakers with data to better understand, monitor and conserve Antarctic whales 26 Graphic Design: Candy Robertson Copyediting: Melanie Scaife Satellite and suction-cup tags uncover whale foraging areas and behaviour 28 Front cover photo: © Michael S. Nolan / Robert Harding Picture Library / National Geographic Creative / WWF Long-Term Ecological Research – Palmer Station, Antarctica 29 Photos taken under research permits include: Dr Ari Drones uncovering a new view from above 30 Friedlaender NMFS 14809, ACA 2016-024 / 2017-034, UCSC IACUC friea1706, and ACUP 4943.
    [Show full text]
  • Lesson 3: Researching Whales and Dolphins
    Lesson 3: Researching Individual Species -1st grade Page 3-1 Lesson 3: Researching Whales and Dolphins Objective: Students will play a modified game of Bingo to learn information about different types of whales You will need: • Copies of cetacean fact sheets (one copy of each fact sheet) • Bingo sheets (pages 3-3 to 3-32; one per student) and bingo markers (you could use small foam pieces or paper cutouts—anything that the students can use to cover the squares on their bingo sheets; if bingo sheets are laminated, dry erase markers or washable markers could be used. A sheet of “bingo chips” is provided on page 3-33; this can be copied and given to students to cut out and use to cover the squares on their bingo sheets) • Bingo call sheet (page 3-34 and/or page 3-35) • Optional: PowerPoint bingo presentation (there are two versions, corresponding to call sheets 1 and 2) and ability to project this. • Optional: “Only One Ocean” CD (by the Banana Slug String Band) and ability to play the “Cetacea” song. Vocabulary: Cetacea—the group of animals that includes whales and dolphins. Baleen—instead of teeth, some whales have baleen which hangs down in their mouths and lets them catch tiny animals to eat. Beak—the pointy part of a whale or dolphin’s head (usually where its mouth is). Callosities—rough patches of skin on a right whale’s head. These are usually white in color. Cookie cutter shark—a small shark that lives in deep water. It takes circle-shaped bites out of whales’ and dolphins’ skin.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sei Whale, Balaenoptera Borealis
    The Sei Whale, Balaenoptera borealis SALLY A. MIZROCH, DALE W. RICE, and JEFFREY M. BREIWICK Introduction balaenopterids have fringed baleen from high-latitude summer feeding plates instead of teeth, and feed on grounds to lower latitude winter areas The sei whale, Balaenoptera swarms of small zooplankton which (Fig. 1). Populations north and south borealis Lesson, 1828, can range in they capture in their baleen as water is of the Equator are presumed to be length up to 18.5 m (60 feet), which filtered through. Sei whales, like other separate, as their migration schedules makes it the third largest whale in the baleen whales, do not have a well­ are 6 months out of phase. family Balaenopteridae, following the defined school or social structure, and Unlike most other balaenopterids, blue, B. musculus, and fin, B. are generally found in small groups or sei whales tend to be restricted to physalus, whales. Sei whales are gray as solitary individuals (Tomilin, more temperate waters, and conse­ with a variable white area extending 1957). quently are generally found within a from the chin to the umbilicus. All the smaller range of latitudes. Although Distribution and Migration The authors are with the National Marine there have been sporadic reports of sei Mammal Laboratory, Northwest and Alaska Like most balaenopterids, sei whales close to the ice edge, this is Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries thought to be uncommon (Jonsgllrd, Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., whales are found in all oceans and Bin CI5700, Seattle, WA 98115. migrate long distances north-south 1966).
    [Show full text]
  • Species Assessment for Sei Whale
    Species Status Assessment Class: Mammalia Family: Balaenopterida Scientific Name: Balaenoptera borealis Common Name: Sei whale Species synopsis: The sei whale is the third largest species of baleen whale after the blue and fin whale. This whale is one of the least studied of the large whales. Its taxonomy is currently being disputed, with some arguing for two subspecies of sei whales, a northern form (B. borealis borealis) and a southern form (B. borealis schlegelli) (Flower 1883, Baker et al. 2004). Other genetic and morphological research found only weak evidence for the existence of a southern subspecies (Perrin et al. 2010). In 2004, a prioritized list of cetacean species in need of further taxonomic research was developed (Taylor 2005, Prieto et al. 2011). Both the northern and southern sei whales were listed under medium priority, indicating that further taxonomic research is needed to determine whether the two populations can be called separate subspecies (Prieto et al. 2011). Sei whales are found in all oceans, but appear to prefer temperate, offshore areas (Horwood 1987, Perry et al. 1999, NMFS 2011, Prieto et al. 2011). In the western North Atlantic and northeastern United States, sei whales travel to presently unknown breeding grounds in lower latitude waters. The whales are believed to migrate along the continental shelf north to Georges Bank and the southwestern Gulf of Maine (NMFS 2011, Prieto et al. 2011). No known resident seasonal population has been found in New York waters; however, these areas may be important as a migration corridor. Little is known on the abundance and trends of these elusive whales.
    [Show full text]
  • Whale Watching: a Future for Whales?
    Whale watching: a future for whales? Introduction Whale watching is booming. Hundreds of thousands of tourists each year are now willing to pay for the privilege of seeing whales, dolphins and porpoises from boats, planes and from the land. But whale watching gives more than just pleasure. Whale watching now brings money into local economies, provides important scientific data, educates the public about conservation Whale and is a viable alternative to whaling. watching June 2003 From whaling… Whales have fascinated humans for thousands of years. They form an integral part of the legends of many indigenous people who both relied on them for food and worshipped them. By the 11th Century, whaling had become a commercial enterprise. Spanish whalers were later joined by whaling fleets from Holland, England and the American colonies. However, whaling reached unsustainable proportions by the 19th century. Explosive harpoon-grenades and factory ships made it th For further possible to catch more whales in four decades of the 19 century than in the information previous four centuries. contact: By the 20th century many whale populations were seriously depleted. WWF-International Panda House Although the International Whaling Commission (IWC), an international body Weyside Park for the regulation and control of whaling, issued a global moratorium on Godalming commercial whaling in 1986, whales are still being caught commercially. Surrey Japan continues to catch hundreds of whales annually (many in the Southern GU7 1XR Ocean, designated by the member states as an IWC whale sanctuary), U.K. exploiting a loophole for ‘scientific research’, and sells the meat commercially E-mail: in Japan.
    [Show full text]
  • 111 Recommended That the Fin Whale Stock in Area VI Should Be
    REP. INT. WHAL. COMMN 30, 1980 111 problems and because the estimation from 1968-79 recommended that the fin whale stock in Area VI should based upon extrapolation with fixed parameters that: be reclassified as SMS with a catch limit of 156 for the 1979/80 season, based on the present management ,a) an underlying predictive model of the dynamics scheme, on the basis of data in Area VI should be ~~-~~~~i~~of the exploitation will be expected and other Southern Hemisphere fin whale stocks. provide much data and materials to develop the needed ,b) evidence from sightings data should be carefully information for the population assessment. analysed recruitment rates from age structures should be Research catches analysed Some members felt that at this stage a research catch before any recommendation about a change in manage- would be premature for all the reasons given above. Holt n,rnt status could be made. referred to the criteria for any take of substantial numbers Other members believed the present result confirmed of whales under special permits contained in his minority reliability of the previous assessment by Chapman statement (Rep. int. Whal. Commn 20: 42) and expressed 11~76)on the population of the fin whales in Area VI. his view that such criteria had not yet been satisfied. They considered that monitoring of the stock by sightings Other members stressed that there is urgent need for ,jata (SC/3l/Doc 4) also proved it. The stock was esti- collection of parameter value information by research mated to have recovered to 93.5% of the MSYL in 1979/ catches to resolve the problems associated with the 50 according to SC/31/Doc 34.
    [Show full text]