DOCSLIB.ORG

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) 5-Year Review

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) 5-Year Review Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation Photo Credit: Peter Duley, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, under permit #17355. National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources Silver Spring, MD November 2020 5-YEAR REVIEW Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 Reviewers Lead Regional or Headquarters Office: Heather Austin, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8422. Cooperating Science Center: Nancy Young, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 206-526-4297. 1.2 Methodology used to complete review A 5-year review is a periodic analysis of a species’ status conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) (50 CFR 17.11 – 17.12) is accurate. The 5-year review is required by section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA) and was prepared pursuant to the joint National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 5-year Review Guidance and template (NMFS and USFWS 2006). The NMFS Office of Protected Resources led the 5-year review in collaboration with Alaska Fisheries Science Center staff and input from other NMFS regional offices and science centers. This 5-year review was accomplished through the development of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Revised Recovery Plan for the blue whale (NMFS 2020). The Revised Recovery Plan is a revision to the 1998 Recovery Plan. We rely on the Revised Recovery Plan because it represents the best scientific and commercial data on the status and threats to the blue whale. In addition, the 1998 Recovery Plan did not contain recovery criteria. Information was updated as part of the development of the aforementioned Revised Recovery Plan, based on peer-reviewed publications, government and technical reports, conference papers, workshop reports, dissertations, and theses. We gathered information through January 2020. The information on the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) biology and habitat, threats, and conservation efforts was summarized and analyzed based on ESA section 4(a)(1) factors (see Section 2.0) and the recovery criteria identified in the Revised Recovery Plan to determine whether a reclassification or delisting may be warranted (see Section 3.0). 1.3 FR Notice citation announcing initiation of this review NMFS initiated a 5-year review of the blue whale on October 12, 2018 (83 FR 51665). Six public comment letters, including literature citations were received and incorporated as appropriate in this review. 2 2. REVIEW ANALYSIS 2.1 Application of the 1996 Distinct Population Segment (DPS) policy1 The ESA defines a species as including any subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any DPS of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife that interbreeds when mature. The blue whale is not currently listed as a DPS. The subspecific taxonomy is an area of continued research and is still being defined. Please refer to the NMFS Revised Recovery Plan for further information (NMFS 2020). Since the species was listed, studies of intraspecific variability and life history characteristics supports the identification of five subspecies currently recognized by the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NMFS 2020). B. m. musculus (Linnaeus, 1758) is the northern blue whale (North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans); B. m. intermedia (Burmeister, 1871) is the Antarctic blue whale, sometimes referred to as the “true” blue whale; B. m. brevicauda (Ichihara 1966) is the pygmy blue whale, generally occurring in the sub-Antarctic southern Indian Ocean and the southwestern Pacific Ocean (Ichihara 1966; Rice 1977); B. m. indica (Blyth, 1859) is the northern Indian Ocean blue whale; and there is a recently recognized, unnamed subspecies that generally occurs off Chile and annually migrates to waters off Peru, Ecuador, and up to the Galapagos Islands (Hucke-Gaete et al. 2018) in the southeastern Pacific Ocean (Branch et al. 2007, Committee on Taxonomy 2016). 2.2 Review Summary In this section, we present new information under each of the five listing factors obtained as part of development of the Revised Recovery Plan for the blue whale (NMFS 2020). We also provide a brief summary of the Revised Recovery Plan and explain why the species meets the definition of endangered outlined in Section 3.0. Please refer to the Revised Recovery Plan (NMFS 2020) for a thorough discussion on the species status including biology, habitat, threats, and management efforts. Factor A: The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of a species’ habitat or range. No new information was found pertaining to Factor A. Factor B: Overutilization for commercial, recreational, or educational purposes. No new information was found pertaining to Factor B. 1 To be considered for listing under the ESA, a group of organisms must constitute a “species,” which is defined in section 3 of the ESA to include “any subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct population segment (DPS) of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature.” NMFS and USFWS jointly published a policy regarding the recognition of DPSs of vertebrate species under the Endangered Species Act (61 FR 4722, February 7, 1996). “DPS” is not a scientifically defined term; it is a term used in the context of ESA law and policy. Furthermore, when passing the provisions of the ESA that give us authority to list DPSs, Congress indicated that this provision should be used sparingly. We have discretion with regard to listing DPSs and, in order to be consistent with the directive of the Congressional report that followed the introduction of the DPS language in the ESA to identify DPSs sparingly, we will generally not, on our own accord, evaluate listings below the taxonomic species or subspecies level if the best available information indicates that the species or subspecies is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. We should only identify DPSs if there is an overriding conservation benefit to the species. 3 Factor C: Disease or Predation. The Revised Recovery Plan for the blue whale (NMFS 2020) did not identify recovery criteria for factor C: Disease or Predation, because there were no data to indicate this factor was a potential threat to blue whale recovery. However, in this section we provide updated information from studies related to factor C. Parasites have been known to cause major health issues for a number of cetaceans and can cause severe complications to respiratory and urinary systems (Prieto et al. 2012). For example, blue whales infected with the giant nematode Crassicauda boopis suffer from chronic inflammatory reactions of the blood vessels which drain the kidneys, and can cause complete vascular occlusion and kidney failure (Lambertsen 1990). Whale calves and juveniles typically suffer the heaviest parasite burdens following transplacental infection of the developing whale fetus, with potential whale-to-whale transmission post-partum. Additionally, nutritionally stressed juveniles and newly weaned calves in particular may be vulnerable to the effects of this parasitic nematode (Lambertsen 1990). More recently, several species of helminth parasites were found to infect the gastrointestinal tract of blue whales in the Gulf of California within the Eastern North Pacific population. Records of helminth parasites were found in 100 blue whale fecal samples, collected during the winter from 1993-2014 (Flores-Cascante et al. 2019). Blue whale feces had 18.2% of adult acanthocephalans (Bolbosoma sp.) and a very high percentage of helminth egg prevalence (100%), and showed similar helminth egg intensity independent of sex, age class, reproductive status over several time scales (same day and year and between years) (Flores-Cascante et al. 2019). Additionally, Diphyllobothrium sp. eggs have been identified in blue whale feces (Flores-Cascante et al. 2019). Within the Northern Indian Ocean population, de Vos et al. (2018) revealed the presence of acanthocephalan endoparasites within the stomach and intestines of blue whales. Acanthocephalan infections have been shown to cause changes in host phenotype of other cetacean species, impacting host behavior and immunity (Gunalan et. al. 2013). This is the first record of Acanthocephala in blue whales within the Northern Indian Ocean and highlights the need for future studies on both the ecto- and endoparasitic flora and monitoring of health of blue whales in regards to management and conservation. However, parasites are not known to have any population-level effects for any blue whale population. Thus further research is required to assess whether and to what extent parasites impact blue whales. Factor D: The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms. No new information was found pertaining to Factor D. Factor E: Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. x Ship strikes have been evaluated, and, if determined by NMFS to be impeding blue whale recovery, measures have been taken to minimize effects. Following this evaluation and where effects to specific management units are known, management unit specific measures have been taken to minimize effects. (Potential threat discussed in Recovery Plan section H.1.2). x Entanglement with fishing gear has been evaluated, and, if determined by NMFS to be impeding blue whale recovery, measures have been taken to minimize effects. Following this evaluation and where effects to specific management units are known, management 4 unit specific measures have been taken to minimize effects. (Potential threat discussed in Recovery Plan section H.1.3). Ship Strikes As noted in the Revised Recovery Plan for the blue whale, some blue whale populations are likely more vulnerable than others to ship strikes, largely based on differences in distribution relative to shipping traffic (NMFS 2020). However, some blue whale populations are vulnerable to ship strikes due in large part to coastal populations which seasonally reside in feeding grounds that overlap with shipping routes, such as off southern California.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Biology of Marine Mammals
    Romero, A. 2009. The Biology of Marine Mammals. The Biology of Marine Mammals Aldemaro Romero, Ph.D. Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR 2009 2 INTRODUCTION Dear students, 3 Chapter 1 Introduction to Marine Mammals 1.1. Overture Humans have always been fascinated with marine mammals. These creatures have been the basis of mythical tales since Antiquity. For centuries naturalists classified them as fish. Today they are symbols of the environmental movement as well as the source of heated controversies: whether we are dealing with the clubbing pub seals in the Arctic or whaling by industrialized nations, marine mammals continue to be a hot issue in science, politics, economics, and ethics. But if we want to better understand these issues, we need to learn more about marine mammal biology. The problem is that, despite increased research efforts, only in the last two decades we have made significant progress in learning about these creatures. And yet, that knowledge is largely limited to a handful of species because they are either relatively easy to observe in nature or because they can be studied in captivity. Still, because of television documentaries, ‘coffee-table’ books, displays in many aquaria around the world, and a growing whale and dolphin watching industry, people believe that they have a certain familiarity with many species of marine mammals (for more on the relationship between humans and marine mammals such as whales, see Ellis 1991, Forestell 2002). As late as 2002, a new species of beaked whale was being reported (Delbout et al. 2002), in 2003 a new species of baleen whale was described (Wada et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Migratory Movements of Pygmy Blue Whales (Balaenoptera Musculus Brevicauda) Between
    SC/65b/Forinfo15 Migratory movements of pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) between Australia and Indonesia as revealed by satellite telemetry Michael C. Double1*, Virginia Andrews-Goff1, K. Curt S. Jenner2, Micheline-Nicole Jenner2, Sarah M. 1 3 1 Laverick , Trevor A. Branch and Nicholas J. Gales 1 Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia 2 Centre for Whale Research (Western Australia) Inc, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia 3 School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America * Corresponding author email: [email protected] Abstract In Australian waters during the austral summer, pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) occur predictably in two distinct feeding areas off western and southern Australia. As with other blue whale subspecies, outside the austral summer their distribution and movements are poorly understood. In order to describe the migratory movements of these whales, we present the satellite telemetry derived movements of eleven individuals tagged off western Australia over two years. Whales were tracked from between 8 and 308 days covering an average distance of 3,009 ± 892 km (mean ± se; range: 832 km – 14,101 km) at a rate of 21.94 ± 0.74 km per day (0.09 km – 455.80 km/day). Whales were tagged during March and April and ultimately migrated northwards post tag deployment with the exception of a single animal which remained in the vicinity of the Perth Canyon/Naturaliste Plateau for its eight day tracking period. The tagged whales travelled relatively near to the Australian coastline (100.0 ± 1.7 km) until reaching a prominent peninsula in the north-west of the state of Western Australia (North West Cape) after which they travelled offshore (238.0 ± 13.9 km).
    [Show full text]
  • Kawamura, A. a Review of Food of Balaenopterid Whales. 155-197
    A REVIEW OF FOOD OF BALAENOPTERID WHALES AKITO KAWAMURA Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, Hokkaido ABSTRACT In order to elucidate what species among so many kind of marine organ­ isms are likely to be consumed largely by the balaenopterid whales, the ex­ isting evidence on the food habits of baleen whales is reviewed. To meet with this primary purpose the report was mainly focussed on to describe qualitative aspects of food species having been known to date from the notable whaling grounds over the world rather than documenting quantitative subjects.' One of interesting facts noticed throughout the contribution was that there exists fairly intense diversity in the assembly of food species composition by regions such as; northern hemisphere vs. southern hemisphere, Pacific region vs. Atlantic region, inshore waters vs. offshore waters, embayed waters vs. open waters, where the former usually shows more div'ersed complexity than the latter. The fact however suggests that although the composition of food spe­ cies locally varies over the various whaling grounds, the food organisms as taxonomical groups are very similar one another even in locally isolated whal­ ing grounds when the food organisms and their assemblies are considered by the family or genus basis. In this connection many evidences given in the text may suggest that the balaenopterid whales as a whole may substantially live on quite simply compositioned forage assembly in comparison with tre­ mendous variety of organisms existing in the marine ecosystems. One of im­ portant aspects of the baleen whales food must be found in their characteris­ tics of forming dense swarms, schools, and/or aggregations in the shallower enough layers to be fed by the whales.
    [Show full text]
  • Argentina–Chile National Geographic Pristine Seas Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula
    ARGENTINA–CHILE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRISTINE SEAS EXPEDITION TO THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA SCIENTIFIC REPORT 2019 1 Pristine Seas, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, USA 2 Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA 3 Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador 4 Centre d’Estudis Avancats de Blanes-CSIC, Blanes, Girona, Spain 5 Exploration Technology, National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, USA 6 Instituto Antártico Argentino/Dirección Nacional del Antártico, Cancilleria Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 7 Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, Chile 8 Fundación Ictiológica, Santiago, Chile 9 Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), CONICET- UNC and Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina 10 Laboratorio de Ictioplancton (LABITI), Escuela de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Chile 11 The Pew Charitable Trusts & Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, Washington DC CITATION: Friedlander AM1,2, Salinas de León P1,3, Ballesteros E4, Berkenpas E5, Capurro AP6, Cardenas CA7, Hüne M8, Lagger C9, Landaeta MF10, Santos MM6, Werner R11, Muñoz A1. 2019. Argentina– Chile–National Geographic Pristine Seas Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. Report to the governments of Argentina and Chile. National Geographic Pristine Seas, Washington, DC 84pp. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 3 INTRODUCTION . 9 1 .1 . Geology of the Antarctic Peninsula 1 .2 . Oceanography (Antarctic Circumpolar Current) 1 .3 . Marine Ecology 1 .4 . Antarctic Governance 1 .5 . Current Research by Chile and Argentina EXPLORING THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA: ONE OF THE LAST OCEAN WILDERNESSES .
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Threatened Taxa
    PLATINUM The Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) is dedicated to building evidence for conservaton globally by publishing peer-reviewed artcles OPEN ACCESS online every month at a reasonably rapid rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org. All artcles published in JoTT are registered under Creatve Commons Atributon 4.0 Internatonal License unless otherwise mentoned. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproducton, and distributon of artcles in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publicaton. Journal of Threatened Taxa Building evidence for conservaton globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Communication First confirmed sightings of Blue Whales Balaenoptera musculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) in the Philippines since the 19th century Jo Marie Vera Acebes, Joshua Neal Silberg, Timothy John Gardner, Edna Rex Sabater, Angelico Jose Cavada Tiongson, Patricia Dumandan, Diana Maria Margarita Verdote, Christne Louise Emata, Jean Utzurrum & Arnel Andrew Yaptnchay 26 March 2021 | Vol. 13 | No. 3 | Pages: 17875–17888 DOI: 10.11609/jot.6483.13.3.17875-17888 For Focus, Scope, Aims, Policies, and Guidelines visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-0 For Artcle Submission Guidelines, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions For Policies against Scientfc Misconduct, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-2 For reprints, contact <[email protected]> The opinions expressed by the authors do not refect the views of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, Wildlife Informaton Liaison Development Society, Zoo Outreach Organizaton, or any of the partners. The journal, the publisher, the host, and the part- Publisher & Host ners are not responsible for the accuracy of the politcal boundaries shown in the maps by the authors.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix 1. List of Abbreviations and Symbols
    Appendix 1. List of Abbreviations and Symbols Adgb Androglobin HPNS High-pressure nervous syndrome ADL Aerobic dive limit IAP Internal acoustic pinna atm Air pressure in units of atmo- J Joules spheres. 1 atm = 760 mmHg or kPa Kilopascal 101.3 kPa L Liter ATP Adenosine triphosphate LCT Lower critical temperature BAT Brown adipose tissue LDH Lactate dehydrogenase BMR Basal metabolic rate Mb Myoglobin CO2 Carbon dioxide MCH Mean corpuscular Hb Cd Nondimensional drag coefficient MCV Mean corpuscular volume CS Citrate synthase MLDB Monkey lips/dorsal bursae CSF Cerebral spinal fluid mmHg Millimeters of mercury; a unit Cybg Cytoglobin of pressure often used in physi- D Total drag (pressure drag plus ology when referring to the friction drag) pressure or partial pressure of a DCS Decompression sickness gas DPPC Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine MPa Megapascal EEG Electroencephalogram Mya Millions of years ago FFA Free fatty acids Ngb Neuroglobin FPRs Formyl peptide receptors O2 Oxygen GbE Globin E OML Oxygen minimum layer GbX Globin X OR Odorant Receptors genes GbY Globin Y ρ Density of seawater (~1024 GFR Glomerular filtration rate kg m−3) Hb Hemoglobin P50 Oxygen partial pressure at 50% HC Conductive and convective heat saturation of Hb exchange Pa (Pascal) The SI (International System of Hct Hematocrit Units) unit of pressure HE Evaporative heat loss PCO2 Partial pressure of carbon dioxide HM Metabolic heat production PN2 Partial pressure of nitrogen HR Radiation heat exchange PO2 Partial pressure of oxygen HS Heat storage ORs Odorant receptors HOAD β-Hydroxyacyl coenzyme A Re Reynolds number dehydrogenase RMR Resting metabolic rate © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 R.
    [Show full text]
  • MYSTICETI - Baleen Whales
    click for previous page 40 Marine Mammals of the World 2.3 SUBORDER MYSTICETI - Baleen Whales MYSTICETI There are 4 families of baleen whales. Mysticetes are universally large (with females growing larger than males); the smallest is the pygmy right whale (c 7 m long), and the largest is the blue whale (the largest animal ever to live, up to 33 m or more in length and 160 t in weight). The baleen whales have a double blowhole, a symmetrical skull, and a sternum consisting of a single bone. In the mouth there is baleen (stiff plates of keratin), instead of teeth. Baleen whales are batch feeders, taking in great quantities of water in a single gulp, and then using the fringes on their baleen plates to filter small schooling fish or invertebrates from the water. Nearly all mysticetes make long-range seasonal migrations. 2.3.1 Guide to Families of Baleen Whales BALAENIDAE Right and Bowhead Whales (3 species in 2 genera) p. 42 llll The right and bowhead whales are large and chunky, with heads that comprise up to one-third of their body length. They lack a dorsal fin or any trace of a dorsal ridge. Overall, they tend to be far less streamlined than other baleen whales. Right and bowhead whales have developed a relatively passive skim-feeding technique, and tend to be slower than other whales. The baleen plates are the longest and have the finest fringes of the 4 mysticete families. Viewed in profile, the mouthline is extremely arched and the skull profile is highly convex; all 7 neck vertebrae are fused together.
    [Show full text]
  • NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS
    NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS T O F C E N O M M T M R E A R P C E E D DECEMBER 2009 U N A I C T I E R D E M ST A AT E S OF REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE USED IN THE DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY RECOGNIZED CETACEAN SUBSPECIES William F. Perrin James G. Mead Robert L. Brownell, Jr. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-450 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), organized in 1970, has evolved into an agency that establishes national policies and manages and conserves our oceanic, coastal, and atmospheric resources. An organizational element within NOAA, the Office of Fisheries is responsible for fisheries policy and the direction of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). In addition to its formal publications, the NMFS uses the NOAA Technical Memorandum series to issue informal scientific and technical publications when complete formal review and editorial processing are not appropriate or feasible. Documents within this series, however, reflect sound professional work and maybe referenced in the formal scientific and technical literature. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS ATMO SP ND HE This TM series is used for documentation and timely communication of preliminary results, interim reports, or special A RI C C I A purpose information. The TMs have not received complete formal review, editorial control, or detailed editing. N D A E M I C N O I S L T A R N A T O I I O T A N N U .
    [Show full text]
  • 04 Blue Mar Fish 61(1)
    The Great Whales: History and Status of Six Species Listed as Endangered Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 Item Type article Authors Perry , Simona L.; DeMaster, Douglas P.; Silber , Gregory K. Download date 27/09/2021 05:17:25 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/26411 The Blue Whale, Pygmy Blue Whale, and the Antarctic or True Blue Whale Introduction in the mid latitude waters of the south- within this ocean basin (Ohsumi and ern Indian Ocean and north of the Ant- Wada, 1974; Mizroch et al., 1984a; The Northern Hemisphere blue arctic Convergence is the smallest Barlow et al., 1994b; Braham3; Gilpatrick whale, Balaenoptera musculus muscu- (Ichihara, 1966; Omura et al., 1970; Kato et al.66). One such tentative stock desig- lus Linnaeus 1758; the pygmy blue et al., 1995; Gilpatrick et al.66). Distin- nation is for blue whales occuring dur- whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevi- guishing between the subspecies is dif- ing winter off Baja California and in the cauda Ichihara 1966; and the true blue ficult at sea and, therefore, information Gulf of California (Fig. 4). Photo-iden- whale65 , Balaenoptera musculus inter- on population size and distribution for tification studies have shown that indi- media Burmeister 1871, are members each subspecies may be unreliable. viduals from these concentrations travel of the Balaenopteridae family whose in summer and fall to waters off Cali- Distribution and Migration subspecies contain the largest animals fornia (Calambokidis et al.,1990; ever known to have lived on Earth Blue whale distribution is worldwide Barlow et al.,1997; Sears et al.67).
    [Show full text]
  • A Week in the Life of a Pygmy Blue Whale: Migratory Dive Depth Overlaps with Large Vessel Drafts Kylie Owen1* , Curt S
    Owen et al. Anim Biotelemetry (2016) 4:17 DOI 10.1186/s40317-016-0109-4 Animal Biotelemetry TELEMETRY CASE REPORT Open Access A week in the life of a pygmy blue whale: migratory dive depth overlaps with large vessel drafts Kylie Owen1* , Curt S. Jenner2, Micheline‑Nicole M. Jenner2 and Russel D. Andrews1,3 Abstract Background: The use of multi-sensor tags is increasingly providing insights into the behavior of whales. However, due to limitations in tag attachment duration and the transmission bandwidth of the Argos system, little is known about fine-scale diving behavior over time or the reliability of assigning behavioral states based on horizontal move‑ ment data for whale species. How whales use the water column while migrating has not been closely examined, yet the strategy used is likely to influence the vulnerability of whales to ship strike. Here we present information from a rare week long multi-sensor tag deployment on a pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) that pro‑ vided a great opportunity to examine the fine-scale diving behavior of a migrating whale and to compare the occur‑ rence of feeding lunges with assigned behavioral states. Results: The depth of migratory dives was highly consistent over time and unrelated to local bathymetry. The mean depth of migratory dives (~13 m when corrected for the tag position on the whale) was just below the threshold depth (12 m) that blue whales are predicted to travel below to remove the influence of wave drag at the surface. The whale spent 94 % of observed time and completed 99 % of observed migratory dives within the range of large container ship drafts (<24 m).
    [Show full text]
  • International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, 1946 Schedule Appendix A
    Notif. 2015/020 Annex (English only) Anexo (Unicamente en inglés) Annexe (Seulement en anglais) International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, 1946 Schedule As amended by the Commission at the 65th Meeting Portorož, Slovenia, September 2014 Notif. 2015/020 Annex (English only) Anexo (Unicamente en inglés) Annexe (Seulement en anglais) Notif. 2015/020 Annex (English only) Anexo (Unicamente en inglés) Annexe (Seulement en anglais) International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, 1946 Schedule EXPLANATORY NOTES The Schedule printed on the following pages contains the amendments made by the Commission at its 65th Meeting in September 2014. The amendments, which are shown in italic bold type, came into effect on 4 April 2015. In Tables 1, 2 and 3 unclassified stocks are indicated by a dash. Other positions in the Tables have been filled with a dot to aid legibility. Numbered footnotes are integral parts of the Schedule formally adopted by the Commission. Other footnotes are editorial. The Commission was informed in June 1992 by the ambassador in London that the membership of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling from 1948 is continued by the Russian Federation. The Commission recorded at its 39th (1987) meeting the fact that references to names of native inhabitants in Schedule paragraph 13(b)(4) would be for geographical purposes alone, so as not to be in contravention of Article V.2(c) of the Convention (Rep. int. Whal. Commn 38:21). I. INTERPRETATION B. Toothed whales 1. The following expressions have the meanings “toothed whale” means any whale which has teeth in the respectively assigned to them, that is to say: jaws.
    [Show full text]
  • The Blue Whale, Balaenoptera Musculus
    The Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus SALLY A. MIZROCH, DALE W. RICE, and JEFFREY M. BREIWICK Introduction pers. They are members of the family migrations each year, traveling from Balaenopteridae, all of which have winter grounds in low latitudes to The blue whale, Balaenoptera mus­ fringed baleen plates rather than summer feeding grounds in the Arctic culus (Linnaeus, 1758), is not only the teeth. Baleen whales graze through or Antarctic high latitudes. Since largest of the whales, it is also the swarms of small crustaceans known most whaling occurred on the high­ largest living animal, and may range as krill, and capture the krill in their latitude feeding grounds, the distribu­ in size to over 30 m (100 feet) and baleen as water is filtered through. tion of these whales in these areas is weigh up to 160 metric tons (t) Like most balaenopterids, blue whales fairly well known. (Mackintosh, 1942). Blue whales are exhibit no well defined social or In Antarctic waters, for example, entirely bluish-gray in color, except schooling structure, and in most of blue whales and minke whales, Bal­ for the white undersides of the flip- their range they are generally solitary aenoptera acutorostrata, are found in or found in small groups (Tomilin, the coldest waters closest to the ice 1957). edge, with fin, B. physalus, and sei The authors are with the National Marine whales, B. borealis, distributed, Mammal Laboratory, Northwest and Alaska Distribution and Migration Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries respectively, in somewhat lower Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Blue whales are found in all oceans latitudes (Mackintosh, 1965).
    [Show full text]