Journal
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
Volume 33, Issue 1, Pages 172-186Publisher
WILEY-BLACKWELL
DOI: 10.1111/mms.12373
Keywords
ecological acoustics; Lau Basin; marine mammal; migration; passive acoustic monitoring; spatial distribution; Tasman Sea; vocalization
Categories
Funding
- U.S. National Science Foundation [OCE 0825295, 1029278]
- NOAA/PMEL Acoustics Program
- Division Of Ocean Sciences
- Directorate For Geosciences [1029278] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Understanding species distribution and behavior is essential for conservation programs of migratory species with recovering populations. The critically endangered Antarctic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) was heavily exploited during the whaling era. Because of their low numbers, highly migratory behavior, and occurrence in remote areas, their distribution and range are not fully understood, particularly in the southwest Pacific Ocean. This is the first Antarctic blue whale study covering the southwest Pacific Ocean region from temperate to tropical waters (32 degrees S to 15 degrees S). Passive acoustic data were recorded between 2010 and 2011 across the southwest Pacific (SWPO) and southeast Indian (SEIO) oceans. We detected Antarctic blue whale calls in previously undocumented SWPO locations off eastern Australia (32 degrees S, 152 degrees E) and within the Lau Basin (20 degrees S, 176 degrees W and 15 degrees S, 173 degrees W), and SEIO off northwest Australia (19 degrees S, 115 degrees E).In temperate waters, adjacent ocean basins had similar seasonal occurrence, in that calling Antarctic blue whales were present for long periods, almost year round in some areas. In northern tropical waters, calling whales were mostly present during the austral winter. Clarifying the occurrence and distribution of critically endangered species is fundamental for monitoring population recovery, marine protected area planning, and in mitigating anthropogenic threats.
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