Effects of whale watching on the activity budgets of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781), on a feeding ground

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 810-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Di Clemente ◽  
Fredrik Christiansen ◽  
Enrico Pirotta ◽  
Dave Steckler ◽  
Magnus Wahlberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Activity Budgets ◽  
Feeding Ground

scholarly journals Segregation of migration by feeding ground origin in North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

2003 ◽  
Vol 259 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter T. Stevick ◽  
Judith Allen ◽  
Martine Bérubé ◽  
Phillip J. Clapham ◽  
Steven K. Katona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Feeding Ground

Behavioral responses of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to whale-watching vessels on the southeastern coast of Australia

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasey A. Stamation ◽  
David B. Croft ◽  
Peter D. Shaughnessy ◽  
Kelly A. Waples ◽  
Sue V. Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Southeastern Coast

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hervey Bay, Queensland: behaviour and responses to whale-watching vessels

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 1290-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Corkeron
Keyword(s):  
Multidimensional Scaling ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Breeding Ground ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Continuous Sampling ◽  
Commercial Use ◽  
Hybrid Multidimensional Scaling

The effects of the presence of vessels on the behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) was studied in Hervey Bay, Queensland, where southward-migrating whales are the focus of a commercial whale-watching industry. The behaviour of whales was observed from a small yacht under sail. Rates of occurrence of units of behaviour for entire pods were obtained from continuous sampling of pods. Pods without calves showed lower rates of behaviour generally when vessels were within 300 m of them. Pods both with and without calves were more likely to dive rather than slip under when vessels were within 300 m. Hybrid multidimensional scaling of rates of behaviours of pods indicated differences between suites of behaviours exhibited by pods when vessels were within 300 m of them and when they were not. Classification of the patterns of occurrence of behaviours demonstrated that for pods both with and without calves, different units of behaviour tended to occur together when vessels were within 300 m and when they were not. Whale watching offers a nonlethal commercial use of whales, but in Hervey Bay, whale watching affects the behaviour of whales, which, although migrating, can be involved in breeding ground activities. Whether the short-term behavioural changes described here are accompanied by longer term avoidance of Hervey Bay by humpback whales as they migrate south remains to be determined.

scholarly journals Behavioural Responses of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to Two Acoustic Deterrent Devices in a Northern Feeding Ground off Iceland

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 584-602
Author(s):  
Charla J. Basran ◽  
Benno Woelfing ◽  
Charlotte Neumann ◽  
Marianne H. Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Feeding Ground

scholarly journals Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Song on a Subarctic Feeding Ground

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia C. Martin ◽  
Ana S. Aniceto ◽  
Heidi Ahonen ◽  
Geir Pedersen ◽  
Ulf Lindstrøm
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Feeding Ground ◽  
The North ◽  
Singing Behavior ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Singing Activity

Male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are known to produce long complex sequences of structured vocalizations called song. Singing behavior has traditionally been associated with low latitude breeding grounds but is increasingly reported outside these areas. This study provides the first report of humpback whale songs in the subarctic waters of Northern Norway using a long-term bottom-moored hydrophone. Data processed included the months January–June 2018 and December 2018–January 2019. Out of 189 days with recordings, humpback whale singing was heard on 79 days. Singing was first detected beginning of January 2018 with a peak in February and was heard until mid-April. No singing activity was found during the summer months and was heard again in December 2018, continuing over January 2019. A total of 131 song sessions, including 35 full sessions, were identified throughout the study period. The longest and shortest complete sessions lasted 815 and 13 min, respectively. The results confirm that singing can be heard over several months in winter and spring on a high latitude feeding ground. This provides additional evidence to the growing literature that singing is not an explicit behavior confined to low latitude breeding grounds. The peak of song occurrence in February appears to coincide with the reproductive cycle of humpback whales. Finally, this study indicates that song occurrence on a subarctic feeding ground likely aids the cultural transmission for the North Atlantic humpback whale population.

scholarly journals Conservation Benefits of Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-248
Author(s):  
Alicia R. Schuler ◽  
Heidi C. Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Knowledge Source ◽  
Distance Threshold ◽  
Substantial Growth

An increasing number of visitors to Juneau, AK, alongside a predictable population of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), has supported the substantial growth of its whale-watching industry. The industry provides benefits to the community through economic gains, while the experience can foster environmental awareness and support for protection of whales and the environment. However, the sustainability of the industry could be jeopardized if increasing whale-watching vessel pressure affects the health of its resource, the whales. This study investigates whether participation in whale-watching tours in Juneau, AK can support conservation of whales and the environment. Participant knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors were obtained from 2,331 respondents in surveys before, after, and 6 months after a whale-watching tour during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Following a whale watch, the percentage of participants that indicated whale watching as a knowledge source increased (p = 0.022), awareness of guidelines and regulations doubled (p < 0.001), and strong support for regulations increased (p = 0.016). Six months later, these responses remained significantly higher than before the whale watch. Despite knowledge of distance threshold increasing after a whale watch (p = 0.003) and 6 months after (p = 0.021), getting close to whales remained an important factor in a participant's whale watch. Participants had a higher likelihood of strongly supporting guidelines and regulations if they indicated that boats can have a negative impact on whales or were aware of guidelines and regulations. Lastly, participants that acknowledged negative effects on whales from boats had higher overall proenvironmental attitudes. This study indicates that incorporating messages that facilitate participant awareness of guidelines/regulations and the purpose of those measures can support conservation and protection of local whale populations through managing participant expectations and ultimately encouraging operator compliance.

scholarly journals Whale Watching in Northern Peru: An Economic Boom?

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Guidino ◽  
Elizabeth Campbell ◽  
Belen Alcorta ◽  
Valeria Gonzalez ◽  
Jeffrey C. Mangel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impact ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Tourist Attraction ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Significant Potential ◽  
Northern Peru ◽  
Region 10 ◽  
Economic Boom

Whale-watching tourism is growing rapidly worldwide. Currently, it occurs in more than 119 countries and is estimated to produce more than US$2.5 billion in annual revenue. In northern Peru, this industry is relatively new, and the economic impact generated from whale watching remains unknown. This study was designed to provide an assessment of the economic impact of whale-watching activity in northern Peru. In this area the activity is focused on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). In 2018, we conducted surveys to 199 whale-watch tourists and six tour companies to estimate the economic impact of the activity. Our results indicate that whale watching of humpback whales is currently worth an estimate of US$3 million annually as a tourist attraction, an economic input that did not exist in the region 10 years ago. This activity has a significant potential for further growth; however, there is an urgent need for guidelines and regulations to ensure a sustainable and well-managed whale-watch tourism industry.

scholarly journals Impacts of Whale Watching on the Behavior of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Coast of Panama

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arielle M. Amrein ◽  
Hector M. Guzman ◽  
Katie C. Surrey ◽  
Beth Polidoro ◽  
Leah R. Gerber
Keyword(s):  
Animal Behavior ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Megaptera Novaeangliae ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Humpback Whales ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Conservation Policies ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Impact

Ecotourism focused on whales and dolphins has become a popular activity and an important source of revenue for many countries. Whale watching is vital to supporting conservation efforts and provides numerous benefits to local communities including educational opportunities and job creation. However, the sustainability of whale-based ecotourism depends on the behavior and health of whale populations and it is crucial that ecotourism industries consider the impact of their activities on whale behavior. To address this statement, we collected behavioral data (e.g., change in swimming direction, frequency of breaching, slap behaviors, diving, and spy hops) from humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the marine protected area of Las Perlas Archipelago off the Pacific coast of Panama. The goal was to determine if tourist vessel presence had an influence on whale behaviors. We conducted this study during the humpback whale breeding season from August through September 2019. Based on 47 behavioral observations, we found that higher boat density corresponded with humpback whales’ frequency of direction changes, which based on previous literature is believed to be a sign of disturbance. Alternatively, no changes in behavior were observed with varying boat density. This result is important given Panamanian regulations first implemented in 2007 by Resolution AMD/ARAP No. 01, 2007 prohibit whale-based tourism from disturbing whales, which is explicitly measured by changes in whale behavior. Because there is no systematic monitoring of whale watching activity to enforce the regulations, there is currently little compliance from tour operators and tourists. The integration of animal behavior research into management planning should result in more effective regulation and compliance of such conservation policies.

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