4th Humpback Whale World Congress

How might we go out to sea and observe cetaceans differently? This was the question asked by GREMM (Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals) Scientific Director Robert Michaud, who initiated a discussion at the start of the conference to rethink how we conduct whale-watching cruises despite the economic and educational benefits they provide.

Belugas are highly protected in the St. Lawrence, particularly since 2017, after which point it was no longer permitted to observe them from boats. Mr. Michaud asked the roomful of experts whether or not we should treat humpback whales—and other cetaceans for that matter—like belugas.

He compared the history of belugas in our waters with that of humpbacks. Humpback whales have long been documented in the St. Lawrence. In fact, two skeletons of this species dating from the Champlain Sea era have even been found in the region! In the 19^th and 20^th centuries, these animals were also targeted by commercial whalers, mainly in the gulf.

It is unknown whether they were still present in the mid-20^th century due to a paucity of data, but H007 (Siam) was the first member of his species to be observed in 1981 and remains one of the most faithful individuals, returning almost every year since! At the same time, whale-watching excursions were growing in popularity, with the first official cruise taking place in 1983. Eleven companies were established in 1988, and by 1993 this number increased to 20. However, between 2010 and 2017, the number of excursions declined from 13,000 to 5,000.

These cruises have been conducted the same way for over 40 years, recalls Robert Michaud, bringing us back to the present. The social behaviours of these animals, which in many respects are still poorly understood, may be negatively affected by boats, which in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park are required to maintain a distance of at least 100 metres. We can all ask ourselves how this activity can evolve and be improved upon so that whale watching has a greater impact on the public. Above all, it’s about better sharing the St. Lawrence in a more respectful way toward its original inhabitants. To achieve this, Mr. Michaud emphasized that we need to “change our relationship with nature.”

Charline Fisseau :Whale watching as a vehicle for coexistence: socio-economic issues and sustainable prospects in Réunion

Charline Fisseau, who works for the CEDTM (website in French) (Le Centre d’Études et de Découverte des Tortues Marines), off the west coast of the island of Réunion, continued on the topic of whale watching, an activity that has recently taken root in this region. Her team is documenting the challenges of this tourism activity. Five different species of cetaceans can be observed in the region, including humpbacks, which breed between June and October. The number of individuals of this species has been trending upward since 2017. This activity has diversified since the early 2000s, with the number of active operators skyrocketing from 2 in 2023 to 64 in 2024. The team (page in French) patrols the seas, raises awareness, and educates cruise operators. According to surveys conducted amongst operators, the latter are most concerned about the uptick in the number of boats as well as tourist expectations. They are also troubled by the potential for disturbance, which they say is greatly underestimated, as well as the risk of accidents during swimming activities with whales.

Paul Camerin: Impacts of Whale Tourism Activities on the Behaviour of Humpback Whale Mother-Calf Pairs of Réunion Island

The non-governmental organization GLOBICE (website in French) presented the methodology of its study on the impact of whale-watching excursions on the physiology and reactions of mother-calf pairs. Located off the west coast of Réunion, the study area is an important breeding and calving ground for humpbacks. Whale-watching excursions must therefore adhere to strict regulations. For example, they are only permitted between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., except for carbon-free tour boats, which are authorized to operate until 6 p.m. Cruises are prohibited between 6 in the evening and 9 in the morning, and only three boats are permitted at any one time within a 300-metre radius. Swimming with whales is also increasingly popular in these waters. Such activities are permitted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a maximum of seven swimmers per boat, including the instructor.

Scientists have deployed drones to gather information on the whales’ behaviour, morphology, and context (presence of boats). Acoustic data were collected using a SoundTrap 600STD hydrophone attached to a buoy. Focal tracking was conducted using the Behave app, and a suction tag installed on the whale allowed scientists to obtain biologging data such as depth, water temperature, how fast the individual was swimming, and other information. Only one pair was observed for more than three hours, precluding any definitive conclusions.

Lyne Morissette: Humpback whales as Vectors of Empathy: Evidence-based Insight for Strengthening Marine Conservation

Lyne Morissette highlighted the crucial role that empathy and our fascination with humpbacks play in our desire to protect cetaceans. In a society where humans are disconnected from nature, humpback whales are a symbol of hope. This species has bounced back considerably after being on the brink of extinction.

The paradox is this: The emotion and closeness we feel toward whales contrast sharply with the fact that, in terms of evolution, they are very distant from us. And yet, these animals care for their young, develop long-term bonds, grieve, and sing… just like us!

Less than 8% of the oceans are currently protected, Morissette reminds us. Since humpbacks are an umbrella species, conservation strategies that affect them also protect their ecosystems.

Empathy is not static; rather, it spreads across communities and continents! A notable example of this is citizen science through applications like Happywhale. There is also a sort of empathy ripple effect: 81% of people who have had a positive experience in nature demonstrate some type of change within a year.

Above all, we must develop trust and confidence to facilitate better collaboration between players in the conservation community. The necessary change depends not only on data and laws, but on our own empathy. Lyne Morissette calls for reconnection through our emotions and senses: “We must return the human heart to nature.”

Manon Riou: Coexisting with Giants: How the Right Whale Crisis Paved the Way to Humpback Whale Research

A master’s student at ISMER-UQAR, Manon Riou studies the relationships between the fishing community and North Atlantic right whales in the Gaspé Peninsula. Collaboration between scientists and the fishing industry can improve our coexistence with right whales. The large-scale arrival of this species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2017 led to the death of 12 individuals in an environment dangerously unprepared for their arrival.

Manon Riou presented the development of more sustainable fishing practices. Discussions are currently underway between the fishing community and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) regarding protocols for closing fishing areas. Though no individuals of this species were observed in the study area between 2019 and 2024, the team did record 51 humpbacks, demonstrating that these waters are an important migratory stopover and feeding area.

Alexandra Mayette: A Quantitative Approach to Assess Risks from Human Activity and Better Inform Strategies to Co-exist with Whales

Alexandra Mayette of the Canadian Wildlife Federation continued on the conservation topic by drawing on the case of North Atlantic right whales. This presentation underscored the need to create an environment that supports the fishing industry while at the same time protecting wildlife. Quite simply, an environment with a strong presence of North Atlantic right whales and a dense concentration of fishing gear translates into high risk for these cetaceans. It is estimated that closing snow crab fisheries when right whales are detected would have led to a 62% reduction in the risk of entanglement… a big plus for the protection of this endangered species! In addition to North Atlantic right whales, fishery closures also have a positive impact on other species, such as humpbacks, which also face risks of entanglement.

The risk of collision is also high for these large whales, which are fond of coastal environments. Maintaining speeds below 10 knots reduces the likelihood of mortality in the event of a collision, with the exception of large vessels, with which run-ins can be fatal at any speed.

Alexandra Mayette concludes: “Quantitative assessments are a practical tool for evaluating and monitoring how management plans are progressing. They contribute to a better understanding of the spatial and temporal aspect of the risk.”

Maria Mason / Sheryl Kink: Co-existence, Not Conflict: An Example from the Gulf of St. Lawrence Snow Crab Fishery of How NGOs Can Help Promote Coexistence Between Fisheries and Whales

Considerable progress has been made in the technological sphere to mitigate the risk of right whale entanglements since the start of the unusual mortality event in 2017. Following the shift in the species’ distribution in 2017, the Canadian government implemented protective measures, which put a strain on relations between the fishing industry, organizations, and the Canadian government. Maria Mason of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) presented the issues and advances in these technologies and in the fishing industry in general. Snow crabbers have experimented with new technologies, including rope-on-demand systems, fishing gear that can be brought to the surface using an acoustic signal.

IFAW also promotes discussions with fishers to understand how to enhance these technologies and mitigate risks. Other efforts, such as starting the fishing season earlier or using “smart buoys,” can also be positive. These buoys provide real-time locations and other information on fishing gear. This low-cost technology makes it easier to detect entangled whales. They also prevent ghost gear—fishing gear that has been lost or abandoned at sea—and poaching.

Maria Mason emphasizes the importance of listening to fishers to find ways to improve coexistence with these giants of the sea. It is also important to support early adopters of this type of system, as potential users might otherwise feel intimidated or be reluctant to change. At the beginning of the trial season, just three individuals were interested, compared to 28 by the end!

To protect whales, first steps include “meeting people, identifying common goals, and building relationships.”

Useful links:

https://www.ifaw.org/ca-en/journal/new-initiative-protect-whales-support-fisheries-canada

Christina Perazio: For the Love of Whales: A Journey from Science to Education

Christina Perazio of the Colombian organization Macuaticos emphasized the importance of research in community engagement and educational activities, which can lead to real conservation initiatives. Macuaticos lies near a humpback whale breeding ground. The organization conducts educational activities, including recycling and conservation activities (e.g. beach cleanups and drone videos shared with the community) with children to educate the next generation.

The team even organizes drawing and writing competitions for school children. The winning youngsters are invited to board the research vessel to understand how scientists work in the field. They also teach English classes where the children learn more about whales. Additionally, Christina has created a psychology course at the University at Buffalo entitled “Whale-ology,” which allows students from all backgrounds to learn more about cetaceans, giving them access to knowledge that is otherwise difficult to obtain in their day-to-day curricula!

Maria-Vittoria Carminati: Genomic Insights into Whale Conservation: Assembly and Annotation of the Humpback Whale Genome

Lawyer-turned-conservation-ecology-and-genetics-expert Maria-Vittoria Carminati gave herself a colossal challenge: to sequence the reference genome for the humpback whale.

Genome scaffolding is a long and complex process that reconstructs an entire genome from stretches called contigs.

A draft humpback whale genome—a provisional and incomplete genome sequence—already existed but contained many small segments. Based on a calf that died in 2013, the new genome reconstructed by Maria-Vittoria Carminati’s numerous colleagues contains segments up to 12 times longer (and therefore more precise), which ensures greater continuity. The new reference genome represents 2.49 Gb of data. Thus, the new reference genome covers virtually the entire humpback whale genome!

Useful link:

The study in question: Novel Megaptera novaeangliae (Humpback whale) haplotype chromosome-level reference genome

A prolific author, science communicator, researcher, conservation advisor, and more, Erich Hoyt is a bit of a jack of all trades. At the conference, he introduced the concept of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), which are defined as: “distinct portions of habitat that are important to marine mammal species and that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation purposes.”

The IMMA initiative dates back to the 1990s, when a number of specialists questioned the fact that marine protected areas sometimes seemed to correspond more to political or socio-economic interests than to scientific criteria. IMMAs were therefore designed as a rigorous conservation tool, based on evidence and selection criteria defined by an international network of experts.

The IMMA designation process is based on scientific analysis, peer review, and mapping. It begins with the assessment of a region during a workshop of specialists and continues over the course of several months. To date, 79.2% of the world’s ocean waters have been assessed through 11 regional workshops, which has led to the creation of over 323 IMMAs.

The objective of IMMAs is to designate important habitat areas for one or more marine species and to provide a tool to contribute to management and conservation policies, as well as to education and other projects.

During his presentation, Erich Hoyt shared several flagship projects, key moments, and concrete examples of IMMA implementation. He further emphasized that 20.8% of the oceans remain to be assessed (mainly the Northeast Pacific and the Arctic), and that some previously studied regions warrant a second look in light of new data.

Interesting links:

• Learn more about IMMAs
• IMMA E-Atlas to discover IMMAs around the globe
• Erich Hoyt’s website

Isabela Oliveira: Of Whales and People: Shaping a Generation of Scientists, Whale Watchers and Other Stakeholders Through the Humpback Whale Project in Brazil

Isabela Oliveira presented the inspiring story of a humpback whale project in Brazil (Projeto Baleia Jubarte), which began in 1988 with the creation of Abrolhos Marine National Park. At the time, a small population of humpbacks was discovered in the region, marking the debut of a vast research and conservation effort.

The initial objectives of the project were to study and protect this whale population. Over three decades later, these scientific efforts continue, but the project has been enriched with a significant educational and community dimension. Through initiatives such as the whale festival in Praia do Forte, the management of information centres, and the hosting of university interns and students, the program has helped train a new generation of engaged citizens and scientists.

Many participants return to the organization to continue their involvement, which is testimony to the strong sense of belonging the project has created.

Isabela Oliveira ended her presentation with these powerful words: “Whale conservation is also made by people.”

Useful link:

Projeto Baleia Jubarte (website in Portuguese)

Serge Briez: Observations Collected by Citizens

Serge Briez presented Les Peuples de la Mer (“People of the sea”), an association working to protect marine biodiversity in the Gulf of Lion in the Mediterranean. The Point Zero project has conducted missions in the region to determine ecosystem baselines before floating wind farms are installed. The four-year project represents more than 13,797 kilometres of travel, 141 missions, 49,229 observations, 122 species, and over 150 volunteer observers!

The project aims to foster an engaged community in which everyone contributes.

Useful links:

To learn more about Les peuples de la mer (website in French)

Pierre Cauchy: Acoustic Footprint of Shipping in the St. Lawrence Seaway: Quantification, Modelling, and Mitigation Solutions Evaluated by the MARS Observatory

The importance of sound for marine mammals is well documented and was discussed at length in a presentation by Pierre Cauchy. Using underwater listening stations and in collaboration with Transport Canada and the International Maritime Organization, a team recorded the acoustic landscape of the St. Lawrence. Collected data notably make it possible to quantify the acoustic footprint of ships and to work with mariners to better understand the impacts that these sounds are having on marine wildlife. Thus far, it appears that underwater noise is the loudest it has been in decades, potentially having significant impacts on marine mammal species that communicate over a wide range of frequencies.

Marion Poupard: Classifying Vocal Units in North Atlantic Humpback Whales Using Passive Acoustic Monitoring and Machine Learning

Humpback whales are well known for their varied vocalizations and melodious songs. Together with her research team, Marion Poupard (bio in French) is analyzing the different components of these songs with the goal of building a model to classify the vocalizations. After first collecting data across the North Atlantic, the team then uses artificial intelligence to create a model to recognize vocalization types. To date, 24 vocalization types have been classified. It is worth noting that humpback whale songs are evolving and new ones are emerging, clearly demonstrating the contribution that new individuals can have in the species’ breeding grounds!

Jérôme Couvat: Using a Glider to Study the Acoustic Presence of Cetaceans in Remote Parts of Martinique

In Martinique, 80% of the acoustic data comes from one side of the island due to currents that make data collection difficult off the opposite coast. Nevertheless, a team including Jérôme Couvat, scientific director at the AGOA Sanctuary, attempted to collect data on the Atlantic side, where maritime traffic is light. In this context, a glider equipped with an underwater acoustic probe logged 523 hours of sound recordings! Unfortunately, data storage issues reduced the number of hours recorded, but still revealed one unexpected finding: the vocalizations of a beaked whale, the exact species of which remains unknown for the time being! Sounds from other species of beaked whales, sperm whales, and dolphins were also captured. 

Yann Doh: Description of Non-linear Phenomena in Humpback Whale Songs and Research Perspectives

Are the variations in humpback whale vocalizations due to the animals’ anatomy or are they controlled by the individuals themselves? This is the question that Abyss Scientific Advisor Yann Doh (bio in French) and his team attempted to answer. Humpback whale songs recorded in the Dominican Republic in 2024 were analyzed by the team, revealing several complex aspects, particularly at the beginning of the songs. The answer to this question remains a mystery, though the data can be used to acoustically identify the humpbacks studied. A great complement to photo-identification!

Lucas Bernier: Sounds of the Sea: Documenting Humpback Whale Migration Through a Large-Scale Collaborative Monitoring Program Between Caribbean Islands

A multitude of islands in the Caribbean are collaborating to collect data on humpback whale occurrences across this vast region. Contributions are being made by scientists and citizens alike! Although participation rates vary, each island is providing data on the temporal dynamics of humpbacks in its area. Depending on the time and location, scientists from the Caribbean Cetacean Society, of which Lucas Bernier is a member, can use these data to study peaks in humpback whale populations across the Caribbean. So far, citizen science remains the best way to collect data! The team hopes to see an increase in this citizen participation in the years to come. 

Louise Simon: High-concentration Breeding Areas for North Atlantic Humpback Whales: 2025 Update for Samana Bay and Navidad Bank

In Samana Bay in the Dominican Republic, a team from the Caribbean Cetacean Society is studying humpback whale populations. Using photo-identification, GPS data, and data on the animals’ behaviour, the team, represented at the conference by Louise Simon, hopes to determine the number of individuals frequenting the area. Amongst other things, the implementation of distance protocols for viewing whales is expected in the subsequent stages of this project. Over the past year, a total of 21 individuals have been identified in Samana Bay.

Ann Carole Vallejo: Distribution and Presence of Humpback Whales During Four Austral Summers in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Did you know that the Southern Ocean is home to nearly 20% of the world’s whales and seals? A research program was launched in Antarctica, more specifically in the Ross Sea Region marine protected area (2,09 million km²), with the aim of studying the distribution and presence of humpback whales. Environmental variation in this area—particularly ice cover, which varies one month to another—might play a role in the presence of humpbacks, suggested Ann Carole Vallejo, executive director and research leader of the organization R&E Ocean Community Conservation. Their team’s surveys revealed that approximately 17% of all the species observed were humpbacks. The Ross Sea is the world’s largest marine protected area.

Jo Marie Acebes: Humpback Whales in the Babuyan Marine Corridor, Philippines: An Important but Unprotected Species

The Babuyan Marine Corridor in the Philippines is the site of a humpback whale breeding ground that has been monitored since 2000. Jo Marie Acebes’ and her team have been recording an average of 94 humpback whale sightings per season, including 25 individuals that are photo-identified. Many of these individuals return to the breeding ground year after year, resulting in a catalogue that now features 206 humpbacks! Thanks to the citizen science platform Happywhale, the team also discovered that two of their well-known individuals have already been observed in Taiwan and in Mexico!

However, the Babuyan Marine Corridor is not protected, and the whales that frequent it still face a number of threats, including ship strikes and entanglements. The research team is therefore looking to initiate the process of creating a marine protected area to preserve this important area for the humpback whale population.

Jodi Frediani: When whales seek us out: Humpback whales blow “smoke” bubble rings

https://www.safinacenter.org/blog/humpback-whales-blow-bubble-rings

A humpback whale approaches a ship. As it draws nearer, it creates perfect bubble rings that slowly rise to the surface. This is the phenomenon Jodi Frediani studied using video footage of a dozen or so encounters in which humpbacks exhibited this unusual behaviour. In each instance, the animal appears to willingly approach a boat or swimmers before releasing bubble rings in their presence. The researcher compares the shape to the smoke rings that smokers sometimes make.

Scientists have already documented two types of behaviours in this regard, namely bubble-net feeding and bubble-blowing by competing males. A number of hypotheses have been put forward to try to decode the purpose of these behaviours. For example, some believe they might be a curious resting behaviour or a technique that aids in the search for food. The aggressive behaviour hypothesis was rejected, as none of the other behaviours normally observed in such situations was observed during bubble blowing.

Frediani concludes that this behaviour is very seldom observed. She encourages us to acknowledge our current ignorance and to continue studying these cetaceans, some of whose behaviours remain enigmatic.

Maria Isabel Gonçalves: Surface Behaviour of Humpback Whales in a Brazilian Breeding Ground

Maria Isabel Gonçalves, who coordinates the Baleias na Serra project in Brazil presented her research on surface behaviour in humpback whales. This species is well known for its surface manoeuvres, which are defined as striking the water’s surface with an appendage (e.g. a fin) or another part of the body. This energy-intensive behaviour might be used by whales to communicate. The research project also demonstrated an increase in such behaviours in windy conditions or high levels of background noise. This is explained by the fact that slapping the water’s surface produces higher frequencies than vocalizations do.

Useful link:

https://en.projetobaleiasnaserra.org/

The day began with a tribute to two leading figures in cetacean research. In addition to presentations of these individuals’ respective contributions to scientific research, conservation, and the environment, several individuals were also invited to share personal anecdotes, which provided for some moving and touching moments.

Roger Payne

Even if they don’t know Roger Payne personally, anyone who works in the field of humpback whale conservation is undoubtedly following in his footsteps. In the late 1960s, Payne was one of the first researchers to discover humpback whale songs. In 1971, an LP titled “Song of the Whale” was released, which still holds the distinction of the best-selling nature recording worldwide. This recording changed our perspective on the ocean and inspired an entire generation. Roger Payne will always be remembered for his influence on conservation, numerous expeditions, research on whale communication, and environmental advocacy.

Oswaldo Vasquez

A tribute was also paid to marine biologist Oswaldo Vasquez, who devoted much of his career to whale conservation in the Dominican Republic. After studying in the Soviet Union and in Ukraine, he returned to his native country, where he worked as a professor. In 1986, he co-founded the world’s first whale sanctuary in the Banco de la Plata region, which has since expanded to encompass other regions. Within the community, he is remembered for his role as a friend and mentor, but also for his contributions to the study of marine mammals and his involvement in a variety of projects.

Useful links:

• Remembering Roger Payne, Maestro of the Seas. NRDC
• Oswaldo Vasquez Ravelo (1959-2024). Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals
• https://www.facebook.com/TCIWhaleProject/posts/kim-beddall-we-are-saddened-to-hear-about-your-passing-your-passion-and-knowledg/777134551539100/

Phil Clapham is a marine biologist working for the Cetacean Ecology and Assessment Program at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle. He is proud of what the scientific study of marine mammals, which began in the 1980s, has become. In those days, every discovery was a contribution to science. Since then, the field has become more complex and multidisciplinary. In his presentation, he revisited humpback whaling over the centuries as well as the current and future threats faced by this species.

After being mostly opportunistic in nature since it was first practised some 7,000 years ago, whaling gained momentum in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Naturally, the slower wooden boats of the time targeted the slower-swimming species. The advent of steamboats and the explosive-tipped harpoon ushered in an entirely new era, namely the mechanization of commercial whaling, which grew in intensity.

At the time, the waters of Antarctica were a highly productive marine ecosystem. During a voyage to South Georgia in 1904, Norwegian explorer Carl Anton Larsen said of the region’s whale populations: “I see them by the hundreds and thousands.” Later, this population would be utterly decimated. It is estimated that between 1904 and 1914, 21,894 humpbacks were killed. Despite the ban on humpback whale harvesting in the Southern Hemisphere in 1963, the Soviet Union conducted an intensive and illegal whaling campaign from 1948 until 1970. Approximately 2.9 million whales were taken, including 2 million in the Southern Hemisphere. Of these, 250,000 were humpbacks, which equates to around 95% or 96% of the total population.

Through their work, scientists established the humpback whale as an icon of the “Save the whales” movement. In 1985, a moratorium on whaling was implemented with a few exceptions, including for scientific research. Nevertheless, non-lethal methods have become the standard for studying whales.

The humpback is a resilient species, as evidenced by the fact that 10 of the world’s 14 humpback whale populations have been proposed for delisting. Today, 50,000 individuals are estimated to frequent the waters off southern Australia, as compared to 1,000 at the end of the whaling era.

Yet this species faces numerous threats:

• Entanglements: This threat varies widely depending on the location. In the Gulf of Maine, roughly half of all individuals have already experienced at least one entanglement.
• Pollution: oil spills, toxic algae blooms, contaminants
• Underwater noise pollution: In addition to the fact that, globally, 96% of goods are transported by ship, there is an overlap between the distribution of cetacean species and shipping lanes.
• Collisions: a major source of mortality
• Effects of climate change, including rising water temperatures, ocean acidification, melting Arctic ice, and changes in prey distribution. Reduced prey availability leads to lower reproductive rates and higher juvenile mortality. The heat wave in the North Pacific between 2014 and 2016 is estimated to have killed 7,000 individuals due to reduced productivity. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is also slowing, potentially leading to a Little Ice Age.

Humpback whales have roamed the North Atlantic for 200,000 years, and the Southern Hemisphere for 900,000 years. This species reproduces well, has a long lifespan, and is flexible in its diet. However, despite its resilience, Phil Clapham predicts major changes in the species’ populations in the decades and centuries to come. “We can’t save the entire planet, but it’s more important than ever to continue working on a local scale,” he concludes, “so that each and every one of us can make our little corner of the world a better place.”

In 2022, a humpback whale is estimated to have travelled nearly 13,000 km, swimming from Colombia to Tanzania. How do we know? Thanks to Happywhale! The founder of this platform, Ted Cheeseman, kicked off the third day of the conference with a discussion of the wide distribution and impressive journeys of humpback whales. 

Having photo-identified his first whale some twenty years ago, Cheeseman wanted to share more stories about whales that return to the same waters year after year. This demand was met by Happywhale, which was created in 2015! Simply take a photo of an animal and upload it onto the platform, which will then suggest a possible match. From the North Pacific to the Antarctic and the Atlantic, Happywhale now brings together photos of cetaceans from virtually all around the globe. Not only humpbacks, but also killer whales, certain species of dolphins, and more. Eventually, even grey whales—which are more difficult to identify due to their lack of dorsal fins—could be part of the data set! 

Cheeseman, however, remains cautious about artificial intelligence (AI) models: “When using AI, be the pilot, not the driver.” It’s important that humans stay involved in the photo-identification process and continue to exercise critical judgement by taking what the models present with a grain of salt, he adds.

Fran, a female humpback that is well known in the community, sadly made headlines in 2022 when she was struck by a ship. Cheeseman explains that the scientific community had known this individual ever since she was born, as well as her mother and her offspring. Knowing the stories of these individuals helps people connect to these animals, in addition to allowing for a positive outcome in the case of Fran’s orphaned calf, which was seen again in the years that followed thanks to Happywhale!

Ted Cheeseman wrapped up his presentation by discussing the significant heat wave that swept through the Pacific Ocean in 2013, bringing mortality and reducing the survival rates of several marine mammals during this period. Amongst the missing animals were many humpback whale mothers that have not been sighted anywhere since. The Happywhale platform is a relevant tool in cases like this to better understand and track the movements of humpbacks in the context of profound environmental changes.

Katharine Hart: Spatial distribution, abundance, and occurrence patterns of humpback whales on the Turks Bank, Turks and Caicos Islands

Katharine Hart came straight from the Turks and Caicos Islands (southeast of the Bahamas) to present the humpback whale projects being carried out since 2022 by the Marine Environmental Institute of the Turks and Caicos Islands (MEITI). There are many challenges when it comes to coexisting with the region’s whale-watching industry, Katharine Hart explained. Currently, this sector is largely unregulated with just a voluntary code of conduct, while swimming with whales is also increasingly popular. Conducting scientific research is therefore all the more important!

Until recently, no scientific monitoring had been conducted in this region and data were collected only sporadically. In addition to photo-identifying the whales they encountered, the research team studied migration patterns in the region as well as the animals’ behaviour and their residency time. 

Over four seasons, the team observed 276 groups of humpbacks and tallied 574 individuals. Photo-identifying humpbacks comes with a number of regionally specific challenges due to the extremely shallow waters in these parts. In other words, the animals dive very rarely! Therefore, the researchers had to be innovative in their photo-ID techniques, notably by using underwater cameras. The groups of whales they studied were divided up by interaction types: mother-calf, adult pairs, solitary, mother, calf, and escort (escorts would sometimes vary widely throughout the week), singing, and competitive groups. Research also showed that residency times in the region ranged from 1 to 50 days, with the longest times spent by mother-calf pairs.

Dr. Sheila D. Thornton : Evaluation of relatedness of humpback whales foraging in Northeast Pacific waters: A whole genome approach

Dr. Sheila D. Thornton from Fisheries and Oceans Canada shared the results of her biopsy analyses of humpback whales from breeding grounds in Hawaii and Mexico, two populations that come to feed in British Columbia. Her goal is to determine whether these populations are mixing genetically. It would be relevant to determine where the humpbacks that forage in the Northwest Pacific come from, as different populations are subject to different threats. The results could then be used to inform conservation management decisions. 

(Fun fact: The humpback whale genome contains 44 chromosomes and 2.48 billion base pairs!)

Collected over three years from modified crossbows, the 217 samples revealed the following information:

• Based on studies of the maternal lines, there appear to be four haplotypes in these Pacific regions: A-; A+; E1; and F2. 
• In South America, Haplotype A is absent, but becomes increasingly present as one moves north. In British Columbia, 80% of the humpbacks are of this haplotype.
• Unlike killer whales (transient, offshore, southern and northern residents, etc.), the different populations of humpback whales all share the same genome.
• Six samples came from whales that had been in both breeding regions!
• Two mother-calf pairs from Hawaii were genetically close to the humpback whales from Mexico.
• Gene flow: 
  • Some of the individuals from these two populations are closely related genetically. 
  • It is mainly male humpbacks that travel between these two breeding regions. 

Based on the Happywhale app, Sheila Thornton noted that:

• 11,784 humpback whales frequented Hawaiian waters only, while 9,831 visited Mexico only; 
  • 457 males were found in both regions; 
  • 6 females (0.02%) were seen in both breeding areas. 
• Garuda, an individual observed in 1990 in Mexico, was not seen again until 2020… in Hawaii! In 2022, the individual was seen again in Russia with a calf! 

Lastly, Thornton leaves us with this question: Knowing that males sing during the breeding season, can an individual from one population successfully reproduce in another population, which is exposed to a completely different version of the song?

Michaela Alksne : An integrated species distribution model for humpback whales in the California Current ecosystem

Michaela Alksne of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is building a model based on visual, acoustic, and environmental DNA data. She points out that multidisciplinary collaboration between specialists is essential to this work. Alksne has compiled visual and acoustic data on marine mammals collected by the CalCOFI research organization between 2004 and 2025. To this she is adding environmental DNA data (article in French) collected between 2023 and 2025. 

In recent years, there have been more acoustic and visual detections of this species in the region. Despite the decline in sardines, anchovies, one of humpback’s favourite prey, are also increasing, making this an important environmental factor to consider! 

Over the long term, humpback whale densities appear to be trending upward in the California Current. Data results indicate that individuals are found closer to shore during their southbound winter migration, and farther offshore when heading north toward their feeding grounds.

This long-term ecosystem monitoring provides insight into the factors that are shaping changes and variations in this population, which in turn can help mitigate human impacts. This large-scale model reveals the usefulness of environmental DNA for detecting humpback whales. Alknse argues that “long-term ecosystem monitoring is important for understanding the factors shaping animal biogeography and phenology and mitigating human impacts. 

Species distribution models are important tools because they allow us to predict where and when species will be present,” Alknse points out. These results are even more relevant for conservation management since they complement the summer and fall data collected by NOAA.

Marianne McNamara : Ongoing and anomalous changes in the Eastern New York Bight (USA): Comparing the dramatic increase in humpback whale numbers and residency time in 2024 to the fifteen previous years with an update in 2025

Marianne McNamara of the Coastal Research & Education Society of Long Island, Inc. (CRESLI) presented the changes in humpback whale presence in the New York Bight. Her team based this analysis on observation data collected since 2009 by whale-watching boats based out of Montauk. Located south of the Gulf of Maine (an important feeding area), this region has undergone numerous changes in terms of visiting cetaceans.

Volunteers working on the boats helped collect data such as water surface temperature, GPS coordinates, prey density and distribution, behavioural data, mother-calf associations, and feeding techniques. Additionally, the team attempted to photo-ID each of the whales it encountered. 

In 2024, CRESLI identified 123 individuals, which is 3 times more than the average. These animals were frequently observed feeding. McNamara explains that the team went out twice as often as the previous year, i.e. four times a week instead of two. In 2023, 47 humpbacks visited the waters of this region. Even after factoring in this bias, she still determined that humpbacks have increased by one-third! 

How can we explain this? 

Since 2017, CRESLI has noticed an uptick in the number of humpbacks off Long Island. The Atlantic menhaden has been particularly plentiful since 2016. McNamara explains that juvenile humpbacks feed on this fish close to the coast, which are often inaccessible to adults due to their shallow waters. The latter are also more individualistic. The team observed large aggregations of this species (two to three dozen!) in an offshore area spanning 150 square kilometres!

Sand lance have also been abundant due to an influx of cold waters from the Labrador Current in 2023. This year, with 45 individuals identified, the number of humpbacks has returned to normal. 

In terms of residency time, the humpbacks that visited these waters between 2018 and 2023 stayed for approximately 16.6 days. These individuals did not appear to be foraging, but rather moving around, which is likely an indication of a lack of prey. In 2024, this figure increased to 37.9 days! In 2025, the team observed the shortest residency time since 2018: just 12.8 days! 

CRESLI also matched individuals using its own catalogue and that of the Gulf of Maine. In 2022, they matched 90.3% of the individuals they observed, and 88.1% in 2024. The organization concludes that they are seeing more and more whales, but that these animals are not new individuals. Rather, they are well known from other existing catalogues. Although this year’s analysis is not yet complete, the team has already matched 80.5% of the whales observed, though many calves have been observed that have yet to be documented.

McNamara concludes that New York Bay is an important feeding ground, and that more and more humpbacks are coming to feed in its waters.

Marie Lou Bontemps: Mitigating ship strikes on large whales in French Polynesia: a multi-stakeholder approach for risk reduction and long-term management 

Located in French Polynesia, Association Oceania Moorea aims to “study and protect cetaceans within the Polynesian sanctuary.” Their projects revolve around four main themes: scientific study, conservation, education, and training. To protect the 24 cetacean species that frequent the region, a marine sanctuary the size of Europe was created in 2002. These waters are characterized by heavy maritime traffic, particularly between the islands of Tahiti and Moorea, a strategic corridor for passenger and cargo ships. To mitigate collisions, Marie Lou Bontemps presented the OceanWatch and OceanIA projects. 

OceanWatch aims to expand knowledge about cetaceans in Polynesia. For the past eight years, the team has been monitoring the presence of humpback whales between Tahiti and Moorea. Between 2018 and 2024, automated tracking using cameras and artificial intelligence (Ocean IA) identified 892 near misses. High-risk areas (where the probability of collisions is greater) have been identified, while Ocean IA represents a valuable decision-making tool for both captains on the water and habitat managers.

Useful link: Ocean IA Project

Chloe Robinson: The whale report alert system: A real-time solution for preventing ship strikes 

Maritime traffic has spiked 300% over the past two decades. This means more boats plying the oceans and a greater chance of collisions with marine mammals. On the British Columbia coast, in the Victoria area, there is considerable overlap between ferry routes and humpback whale habitat. Just last month, an individual named “Midnight” was killed in a collision. 

Spotting whales, which is an important component of risk mitigation, can be challenging at night or in adverse weather, which is where the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS) comes in. This is an app “designed to protect whales from ship strikes and disturbances by alerting mariners of their presence in real time. WRAS receives real-time data from a multitude of whale-spotting platforms and disseminates this information to mariners in a number of user-friendly ways.” Ninety-five percent of the sightings they receive in real time show up on the app within two minutes, allowing mariners to take appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of an incident. 

Useful link: Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), Ocean Wise

Zachary Hoffman: Assessing the role of water column depth and body size in humpback whale vessel strike risk through surfacing 

Ship strike risk models are useful tools, but require difficult-to-obtain parameters in order to work effectively, explains Zachary Hoffman, a student at Thorne Lab. Oftentimes, modellers have to make unrealistic assumptions. In the case of humpbacks, juveniles are smaller and therefore have a smaller collision surface compared to adults. However, they surface more frequently to breathe and are therefore more susceptible to ship strikes. Conversely, larger individuals do not need to surface as often, though their size alone makes them more prone to collisions. It is therefore essential to take water depth and the size of the animals into account when assessing humpback whale habitat in order to understand and anticipate the collision risks that these animals are exposed to. 

Chelsi Napoli: Modelling spatiotemporal trends of humpback whale mortality due to vessel strike by cargo ships on the US east coast

Since 2016, the US government has declared an unusual humpback whale mortality event along the entire Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida. According to necropsies performed on nearly half of the carcasses, 45% of the whales died as a result of a human-related cause, either from a collision with a ship or an entanglement. Thorne Lab’s Chelsi Napoli presented her research project, which aims to use data collected at sea as indicators to assess the risks of collision. The model also integrates notions of space and time to identify high-risk areas for collisions, using data collected between 2009 and 2024. The results indicate an increase in collision risk over time, with risks being particularly high nears the ports of New York and New Jersey. 

Interesting links: 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/2016-2025-humpback-whale-unusual-mortality-event-along-atlantic-coast 

https://you.stonybrook.edu/thornelab/lab-members/

Marine mammal advisory group (MMAG)

Approximately 100 sailing regattas and crossings take place every year around the world, many of which pass through the critical habitat of a number of marine mammal species. The Marine Mammal Advisory Group brings together a number of organizations wishing to collaborate to minimize the risk of collisions caused by sailing and recreational boating. A lack of reports and data regarding this important issue for marine mammal survival prompted these organizations to join forces in 2023. To date, some sailing regattas have found a solution to minimize harm to whales during their ocean crossings that consists of beginning and finishing the races offshore, rather than near the coast. Sailing traffic in whale-rich waters is therefore controlled and diluted over time!

Anastasia Kunz: Protecting blue whales and blue skies in California 

Anastasia Kunz of the California National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation presented a volunteer-based program and the impact of these measures on whale conservation. The waters off the coast of this state represent high-density habitat for blue, fin, and humpback whales, as well as an area of ​​high shipping traffic. These two factors inevitably imply a high risk of collisions. Since 2007, NOAA has required speed reduction measures to be implemented between May 1 and December 31. 

The foundation has been conducting aerial cetacean surveys over shipping lanes since 2016. It has observed “very poor compliance when ship operators are requested to reduce their speeds.” 

The organization has developed a voluntary program, “Blue Whales, Blue Skies” (BWBS), to encourage operators to slow down. After several lacklustre years at the start of the program, voluntary compliance began trending upwards in 2017.

How can companies be encouraged to cooperate? The program is based on awareness and encouragement rather than finger-pointing, explains Anastasia Kunz.

The foundation verifies the number of high-speed trips made by companies targeted by the program and then quantifies both the reduction in ship collision risks and the benefits in terms of noise and air emissions. It also gives out awards. 

The results for the 2024 season are as follows: 

• Fatal ship strikes down by 50.1%;
• Underwater noise benefits: Sound pressure levels down by 48% (i.e. 4.1 decibels) along the California coast.
• Emissions reductions: 
  • 1,405 metric tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx)
  • 33 metric tonnes of sulphur oxides (SOx)
  • 8.4 metric tonnes of diesel particulate matter (DPM)
  • Nearly 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

The voluntary BWBS program is scalable and uses performance verification and positive recognition campaigns to improve conservation in California’s offshore waters. As of 2024, 49 shipping companies were registered, and the program has led to reduced speeds over more than 425,000 nautical miles! Given the high number of humpbacks that visited the Santa Barbara Channel in December 2024, this program is producing excellent results. A state bill has been passed to expand the BWBS to all of California.

Jackie Hildering: See a blow? Go slow! Lessons learned for whale and boater safety

Jackie Hildering of the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) concluded this session on collision challenges in British Columbia. 

British Columbia’s last whaling station was decommissioned in 1967. Since then, humpbacks have made a remarkable comeback, particularly off northeastern Vancouver Island, where the number of sightings has increased from 7 in 2003 to 119 in recent years. Unlike killer whales, humpbacks spend more time far offshore, move unpredictably, and often rest or feed just below the surface, which makes them easily overlooked by humans and thus vulnerable to ship strikes. 

In light of increased cetacean activity in British Columbia waters, an awareness campaign was launched in 2014 to address knowledge gaps amongst boaters, reduce human disturbance, encourage incident reporting, and improve entanglement responses. 

Marine mammal regulations were updated in 2018, at which time they evolved from a simple leave-marine-mammals-alone rule to complex regulations such as detailed, species-specific distance limits, a ban on feeding or cornering species, and the obligation to report any accidental contact. The “See a blow? Go slow!” campaign promotes the use of awareness tools such as whale warning flags and slowdown zones.

To assess the BC campaign’s effectiveness, nearly 4,000 boaters were surveyed. Half of the respondents were unaware of appropriate approach distances. However, 66% had heard of the campaign, 90% found it useful, and there was a tendency for safer practices to be adopted by more experienced boaters using smaller vessels. Positive social influence also encouraged boaters to keep a greater distance from whales. These results were shared with the government and fishery managers to inform regulatory updates and prioritize target audiences for future awareness campaigns.

Check out the 90-minute online training here: Whale-Safe Boating Course

Anatomy of humpback whale sound production and transmission

Dr. Joy Reidenberg studies the comparative anatomy of the respiratory systems of humans and humpback whales. For years, she has been interested in how humpbacks produce and transmit sound. She has been attempting to answer several questions. For example, how do whales use a respiratory system that is similar to that of humans yet functions under water? 

Humpbacks are regularly observed positioning their heads downward when producing sounds to ensure the lateral diffusion of their vocalizations. Do the sounds come from the animal’s throat or from its nasal region? How do baleen whales produce sound? 

To answer these questions, we must go directly to the source and perform a necropsy! To obtain specimens, sharp tools are used similar to those once wielded by whalers. In this documentary video, Reidenberg can be seen cutting open a carcass to reach the animal’s voice box. 

Reidenberg works on whale larynges, and has a collection of them in New York City that according to her is complicated to store. She shows a photo of one specimen that measures 3.6 metres long! Furthermore, a humpback’s laryngeal sac is an organ as large as the lung of a minke whale! The samples are of variable quality, as some animals have been struck by ships or have gotten themselves stranded.

Inside the humpback’s larynx is a “U-fold,” a U-shaped, slightly boomerang-shaped organ that is homologous to the vocal cords of other mammals. This U-fold is positioned at almost 90 degrees. It does not obstruct the airflow between the nose and the lungs, but rather between the laryngeal sac and the lungs. The laryngeal sac stores air every time the whale takes a breath. Imagine this laryngeal sac as a bagpipe: You fill it with air, and the piper can make different sounds depending on how he or she controls the release of the stored air. It’s more or less the same thing with whales, except that the animal doesn’t need to refill its laryngeal sac with outside air. On the contrary, the incredible thing is that this air can be recycled back and forth from the lungs! 

The U-fold is supported by a pair of arytenoid cartilages. The two “arms” of this organ come into contact and regulate the space and air flow in and out of the laryngeal sac. Meanwhile, the edges vibrate and produce sound! The inner surface of the larynx is not smooth but has folds that funnel the air into a narrow space. The tissues of the nasal pharynx (a soft tissue sac) can also vibrate dorsally. This may explain why some of the sounds made by rorquals seem to emanate from their blowholes!

In his article ““Study of Non-Linearities in Humpback Whale Song Units,” Yann Doh explains: “At rest, the […] larynx is totally sealed with the closure […] of the two symmetrical arytenoid cartilages that press hermetically against each other. The arytenoid cartilages can be raised dorsally, where they contact a thick fat tissue pad called a cushion (or cricoid cushion), situated in the midline on the ventral surface of the cricoid cartilage. Pressing the arytenoids against this cushion reinforces the seal. Then, when the whale wants to emit a vocalization, it will break the seal by opening the two cartilages and either lowering the arytenoid or tensing the cushion with a muscle (musculus pulvini) that pulls it cranially while flattening it. The pair of arytenoids regulate the gap that connects the trachea to the laryngeal sac (located on the ventral aspect of the larynx). The parted arytenoids allow airflow to circulate between the lungs and the laryngeal sac and, passing over the arytenoid cartilages, will cause the membranes that cover them to vibrate.” 

Depending on the position of the U-fold and the cushion, air enters different parts of the larynx, producing different sounds. Drawing from the findings of Elemans et al., Reidenberg suggests that five different parts of this organ can produce different sounds (pulsed, tonal, or loud) depending on which parts they activate, and possibly at the same time! This is called diplophonia.

The sac is surrounded by a large amount of muscle. In addition to being nearly twice as large as those of females, laryngeal sacs in males are surrounded by more muscle, suggesting they have a greater degree of control. This sexual dimorphism reflects the idea that it is primarily bulls that sing and vocalize. 

Reidenberg has observed differences in the larynges of different species of baleen whales. Firstly, they vary in the length and thickness of the skin folds that cover the inside of the larynx. Also, compared to rorquals, the larynges of right whales and bowhead whales are smaller in volume, though the muscles surrounding this organ are quite thick!

Useful links

To see a whale larynx in action: Sketch Fab

Diagram illustrating the cricoid cushion and laryngeal sac

Cetacean adaptations with Dr. Joy Reidenberg

Valentina Melica: Stable isotope analyses reveal individual and regional variability in the humpback whale’s diet and ecological niche in Northeast Pacific waters

Working together with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, a team from the Marine Mammal Conservation Physiology Lab recently studied the diet of humpback whales in the Vancouver Island area. The high degree of fidelity of individuals to this area was one of the more notable contributing factors to the choice of the study location. By analyzing the isotopic variability in humpback whales (i.e. the presence of different forms of carbon, oxygen, sulphur, or even nitrogen atoms in individuals), the team was able to determine geographic variations in the animals’ diets. 

The results show that, indeed, humpback whales around the island do not consume the same amount of food from one region to another! Diminishing levels of carbon and nitrogen were also detected as the feeding season progressed, though the reason for this remains hypothetical for the time being and might be linked to variability between individuals. The next steps in this project are to incorporate prey into the data set to better understand this complex food web and better assess the proportions of each type of prey in the humpbacks’ diets.

Felicia Vachon: Know your neighbours: fine-scale site fidelity of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) within their British Columbia feeding grounds 

A team from MERS presented the preliminary results of a study on humpback whale feeding fidelity in British Columbia, a region that shows a very high rate of return. By compiling 70,000 observations of 3,752 individuals over 40 years, the team was able to identify eight main feeding areas. The researchers were also able to establish that fidelity to certain sites and in certain individuals is very high (regardless of the animals’ sex), while other locations are visited much less regularly. This raises a point, however: If research efforts are less extensive in these less frequented areas, certain individuals may be under-represented in the data. Amongst other things, citizen science and collaboration between research groups in the area have made it possible to achieve these preliminary results.

Timothée Perrero: Visitor-turned-resident: Head of the Laurentian Channel in the Saint Lawrence Estuary (SLE) as a new feeding ground for humpbacks?

For over 40 years, GREMM’s research teams have been studying the large rorquals that frequent the head of the Laurentian Channel in the St. Lawrence River, especially humpbacks. Using both research and tour boats, large rorquals are photo-identified using cameras and, more recently, drones. According to Timothée Perrero, who spearheads the Large Rorqual Project, it was after 2018 that the team began seeing more than 10 individuals per season more regularly. Compare that to 1981, when just one individual frequented the area! After a banner year in 2021, individuals began to decline in number and to make more trips to the feeding area throughout the season. However, the number of seasonal residents and mother-calf pairs has increased in recent years. 

GREMM’s team concluded by emphasizing the importance of taking into account the duration of visits in a given area before drawing conclusions about the status of the population at the head of the Laurentian Channel.

Steve Ferguson: Quantifying surfacing behaviour in Arctic and North Atlantic whales using satellite telemetry 

telemetry! Tags were placed on certain individuals in Arctic and North Atlantic waters by a Fisheries and Oceans Canada team, which included Steve Ferguson. These tags provided data on the dive time and depth of five different species, namely northern bottlenose whales, sperm whales, fin whales, killer whales, and humpback whales. According to the results obtained to date, the humpback whale appears to be the species that spends the most time at the surface. The team will continue to monitor these species and compile data in an effort to better understand the diving behaviour of these marine mammals.

Andrew Stevenson: Birthing scars on female humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the North Atlantic

The Turks and Caicos Island Whale Project and Whales Bermuda have teamed up to study a rather surprising phenomenon: the presence of scars on females, which may be linked to calving. Located on the right side of the backs of new mothers, these scars are believed to originate from these females’ habit of rubbing their backs against coral reefs. Therefore, it can be concluded that calving females frequent warm southern waters not only because they are safe, but also because the animals can directly take advantage of certain elements present to give birth to their young! The scars resemble craters, but in some cases can also be white. Is this cultural behaviour unique to the North Atlantic? Hard to say! The team is seeking other observations of these particular markings to try to better understand the phenomenon.

Charlotte Esposito: Monitoring humpback whales in the Polynesian sanctuary: A long-term photo-identification program 

Based in the Polynesian sanctuary, Association Oceania Moorea monitors humpback whales using photo-identification. During her presentation, Charlotte Esposito emphasized the importance of liaising with the local community when conducting this type of research. Depending on the study, French Polynesia’s humpback whale population is estimated to number between 1,097 and over 3,000 individuals. 

These data come from multiple sources and date from between 2003 and 2025. Since 2005, over 842 individuals have been identified. Furthermore, humpback whales are present around 65 islands and atolls across each of the territory’s five archipelagos. One of the organization’s goals is to expand the study area to better represent the population throughout the Polynesian sanctuary. 

Useful link:

To learn more about Association Oceania Moorea

Tanya Lubansky: Long-term photo-identification data set of opportunistic sightings reveals shifting habitat preferences of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Gulf of Maine

 Tanya Lubansky was present at the conference to share data from Allied Whale, the College of the Atlantic’s research laboratory, which has been conducting a humpback whale photo-identification program in the Gulf of Maine for several decades.

To gather data, this lab has partnered with a cruise line, allowing it to acquire valuable data despite its limited resources.

Historically, humpback whale sightings have been concentrated in three main areas. However, recent surveys show that whales are now beginning to frequent new parts of the gulf. According to Lubansky, this shift may be attributable to changing prey distribution, which itself is influenced by physical conditions such as water temperature, rather than to a change in the animals’ dietary preferences.

Useful link: 

https://www.coa.edu/allied-whale/ 

Maria Isabel Gonçalves: Environmental conditions in feeding areas influence interannual fluctuations and the reproductive success of humpback whales in a breeding area off the coast of Brazil.

Between June and October, humpback whales frequent the waters of the Serra Grande in northeastern Brazil. Using six years of observation data, researcher Maria Isabel Gonçalves analyzed the species’ presence and behaviour in this breeding ground. A total of 649 groups and more than 1,520 individuals have been observed.

The results reflect significant interannual variability, with 2021 seeing the lowest number of individuals recorded, and 2022, the highest birth rate. The following year, 2023, saw a peak in the proportion of adults observed. The study has also revealed a correlation between water temperature and the presence of whales, underscoring the importance of environmental conditions in the species’ distribution.

Useful link: 

Published article: Exploring habitat use and movement patterns of humpback whales in a reoccupation area off Brazil: A comparison with the Abrolhos Bank