HUMPBACK WHALE RESEARCH

Whaleman is working with Dr. Marsha Green, Whaleman board-member and founder of the Ocean Mammal Institute (OMI), on a five year research project studying the vocalizations and behaviors of humpback whales along with the impacts that vessels and engine noise can have on them. This study is being conducted in Hawaii which is critical habitat for the endangered North Pacific humpback whales with over two-thirds of this population utilizing these warm waters to breed and calve. Increased tourism and whale-watching boats and the attendant noise pollution is a source of stress for these acoustically oriented animals. This research is designed specifically to contribute to the development of management guidelines for whale-watching and other boat traffic around humpback whales in Hawaii and elsewhere. Another vital component of the research will be recording the composition, social sounds, and behaviors of various humpback whale pods utilizing an underwater video camera equipped with a very sensitive hydrophone.

Dr. Green's research results have been successfully used in the past to protect whales. Her study on the impact of parasail boats on humpback whales was instrumental in getting the Hawaii State Legislature to ban parasail boats in critical whale habitat each year during whale season. Presently, OMI is using its data showing that the US Navy tests of Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFA sonar) in Hawaii in March 1998 were correlated with whales leaving the area to raise public awareness about the threat the this very loud sonar presents to cetaceans.

Collectively, our work has been disseminated via numerous newspaper and magazine articles and television coverage (CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC). Dr. Green has spoken about the effect of noise on whales at the US Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary headquarters in Hawaii since 1997 and has given numerous other talks in the Hawaiian Islands.

The research results will be delineated to the appropriate agencies in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Tonga. These agencies include the National Marine Fisheries Service (they develop whale-watch guidelines in the US), the US Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage, (they set whale-watch guidelines around humpback whales in Hervey Bay and other parts of Queensland, Australia), Whales Alive in Melbourne, Australia (this group is working in Tonga to develop guidelines for a new whale-watch industry there), and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Ocean which is currently considering establishing regulations for whale-watching in Canada. These regulatory agencies can then use this objective information to develop whale watch guidelines that create the least disturbance to whales and will help to continue to preserve them and their habitats.

RESEARCH PAPERS

By; Marsha L. Green, Ann M. Zoidis, Jeff Pantukhoff
Singing Humpback Whales Associate with Mothers and Calves Paper.
(Adobe Acrobat)

By; Marsha L. Green, Ann M. Zoidis
Relationship of Social Vocalizations to Pod Size, Composition and Behavior in the Hawaiian Humpback Whale.
(Adobe Acrobat)

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HARBOUR PORPOISE RESEARCH

Whaleman is assisting Anna Hall, a graduate student in the University of Vancouver's Marine Mammal Science Department, with the first comprehensive research study of harbour porpoise in the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Harbour porpoise are being seen with increasing rarity in the southern Vancouver Island region and there is insufficient scientific information to accurately assess the status of this population. Anna's goal is to determine population size, seasonal distribution, habitat requirements and diet of harbour porpoise in the inshore waterways of southern British Columbia. She is developing a simulation model to predict population fluctuations based on a variety of parameters. The results of this study will provide the first comprehensive survey of population viability and population size of harbour porpoise in this region and the model should provide insights into the long-term viability of the population.

Harbour porpoise populations around the world are declining due to a variety of human impacts. Anecdotal evidence implies the harbour porpoise population has been declining in some areas of southern British Columbia since the 1940's (Baird and Guenther 1994). Because of their often near-shore distribution, human activities may seriously affect harbour porpoise viability. Some of these pressures include collisions with boats and ships, pollution from marinas and shipyards and freighter anchorage. The harbour porpoise population is also thought to be threatened by increasing pollutant levels, entanglement in fishing nets (especially for juveniles) and possibly reduced prey availability (Raum-Suryan 1995). It is yet undetermined to what extent the increase in human activity has caused or contributed to, the decline of the harbour porpoise population in the south Vancouver Island region. With pressures continuing to mount as the human population increases in the area, we may find the harbour porpoise population is in serious decline. This would then require implementation of a habitat or species recovery program (as demonstrated on the East Coast of Canada).

The development of a model able to predict population fluctuations is invaluable to the development and maintenance of small cetacean conservation plans. Model parameters will be taken from published data collected on Atlantic harbour porpoises, from our line current research data, and from the growing information being gathered from stranded animals collected in southern British Columbia. The goal will be to contrast output from this model with results generated with data from other coastal regions with small cetaceans. Thus, the model has the potential to assist in conservation and resource management of small coastal cetaceans globally.

The results of this study will provide the basis for a long-term monitoring program in southern British Columbia for harbour porpoise. This is of critical importance in the region as the human population of the lower mainland, Gulf Islands, Victoria and the Seattle area is expected to continue to increase. Results will be made available to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the University of British Columbia, the commercial wildlife viewing industry and recreational boating associations.