Baker 1985
- Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Hawaii, Honolulu.
The population structure and social organization of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the central and eastern North
Pacific
- C. Scott Baker
University of Hawaii, Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Lboratory, 1129
Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA, 96814
-
- (C) 1985 University of Hawaii
Aerial surveys of the population of humpback whales assembled
in Hawaiian waters during the 1977, 1978, 1979 winter seasons
were carried out on a weekly to biweekly basis during the major
period of residency, from mid-January through mid-April. A progressively
later date for peak numbers was found over the 3 years. These
annual changes in migratory timing were consistent with earlier
data for humpback whales in the western North Pacific but differed
from the constant migratory timing reported for South Pacific
humpback whales. Regional data showed that each year the earliest
peak influx was at the island of Hawaii (Big Island), with regions
to the northwest showing progressively later dates for peak residnecy.
Kauai-Niihau, the island group furthest to the northwest, but
separated from the other islands by extensive deep water channels,
seemed to follow an independent trend. Photographic reidentification
of seven whales that moved from the Big Island or from the Maui
area to regions to the northwest provided supporting evidence
for the southeast to northeast movement pattern indicated by the
aircraft data. This pattern suggested that some whales use the
prevailing clockwise surface currents in the upper North Pacific
to aid their migration between Alaskan feeding grounds and Hawaii.
- Baker, C. S. (1985). The population structure and social
organization of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the
central and eastern North Pacific. Unpublished doctoral dissertation,
University of Hawaii, Honolulu.
-
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