First record of a humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781), stranding in Pará State, Northern coast of Brazil

Pretto, Dan Jacobs; Andrade, M C M; Oliveira, João M.; Oliveira, M G A

doi:10.1590/s1519-69842009000500029

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Even though we consider the abundance estimate computed from the 2008 shipboard survey the most representative for humpback whales wintering along the coast of Brazil, this estimate probably does not correspond the total population size. This occurs because areas along the northern coast of Brazil, north and/or west of 5°S, are used by an unknown, possibly small, number of humpback whales [ 21 , 22 ] and were not surveyed. In addition, the species has also been seen in oceanic islands such as the Fernando de Noronha and the Trindade and Martin Vaz seamounts and archipelagos [ 23 , 59 , 60 ], which indicates that their wintering range in Brazil may also extend to oceanic islands, far from the coast.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Whale, Whale, Everywhere: Increasing Abundance of Western South Atlantic Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Their Wintering Grounds

et al. 2016

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The western South Atlantic (WSA) humpback whale population inhabits the coast of Brazil during the breeding and calving season in winter and spring. This population was depleted to near extinction by whaling in the mid-twentieth century. Despite recent signs of recovery, increasing coastal and offshore development pose potential threats to these animals. Therefore, continuous monitoring is needed to assess population status and support conservation strategies. The aim of this work was to present ship-based line-transect estimates of abundance for humpback whales in their WSA breeding ground and to investigate potential changes in population size. Two cruises surveyed the coast of Brazil during August-September in 2008 and 2012. The area surveyed in 2008 corresponded to the currently recognized population breeding area; effort in 2012 was limited due to unfavorable weather conditions. WSA humpback whale population size in 2008 was estimated at 16,410 (CV = 0.228, 95% CI = 10,563–25,495) animals. In order to compare abundance between 2008 and 2012, estimates for the area between Salvador and Cabo Frio, which were consistently covered in the two years, were computed at 15,332 (CV = 0.243, 95% CI = 9,595–24,500) and 19,429 (CV = 0.101, 95% CI = 15,958–23,654) whales, respectively. The difference in the two estimates represents an increase of 26.7% in whale numbers in a 4-year period. The estimated abundance for 2008 is considered the most robust for the WSA humpback whale population because the ship survey conducted in that year minimized bias from various sources. Results presented here indicate that in 2008, the WSA humpback whale population was at least around 60% of its estimated pre-modern whaling abundance and that it may recover to its pre-exploitation size sooner than previously estimated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Whale, Whale, Everywhere: Increasing Abundance of Western South Atlantic Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Their Wintering Grounds

et al. 2016

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“…During the breeding season humpback whale carcasses are found adrift and ashore (e.g. Meirelles et al, 2009; Pretto et al, 2009) and represent potentially important sources of food for sharks.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shark scavenging and predation on cetaceans at Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil

et al. 2012

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Although it is largely assumed that shark predation and predation risk are unimportant to large cetaceans, whales can make up large portions of the diets of some shark species. We investigated interactions between sharks and cetaceans in the Abrolhos Bank (16°40′ to 19°40′S), off the eastern coast of Brazil, including scavenging and predation attempts on living humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). In order to determine the frequency of shark bites on cetaceans, both living and postmortem, we used carcasses discovered along the coast of Abrolhos Bank between 2001 and 2010 and photographs of living cetaceans during systematic and opportunistic visual surveys from 2004 to 2009. We analysed a total of 221 cetacean carcasses, of which 150 (67.8%) were humpback whales. Large sharks had fed on 22.3% (35 of 150) of humpback whales carcasses, and 20.8% (10 of 48) of carcasses of other species. Only three living humpback whales (<1%) had bite scars from large sharks, suggesting that they at least occasionally target living humpbacks. Cookiecutter shark bite marks also were observed on both dead and living cetaceans, with numerous living humpbacks showing multiple bites. The abundance of humpback whale carcasses available over the Abrolhos Bank, mainly during the humpback breeding season, may be an important component of shark diets seasonally. Further work is needed to better understand the frequency of shark attacks on mysticetes, potential costs of sublethal injuries, and importance of whales to shark diets.

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“…The Brazilian coast breeding southern humpback whales population (Stock A) migrates from austral summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic to breeding grounds in tropical and subtropical regions (Chittleborough, 1965). Although the Brazilian coast is known to be a breeding ground for southern hemisphere humpback whales, some findings indicate that these whales may use habitats farther north (Pretto et al, 2009). These whales seem to leave South America for Antarctic waters between October and December (Zerbini et al, 2006).…”

Section: Marine Mammal Occurrencementioning

confidence: 99%

New sightings records of marine mammals and seabirds off French Guiana

Martinez

Geraldes

Suardi

et al. 2019

LAJAR

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French Guiana region is one of the most productive in the world and hosts a wide variety of marine vertebrates. In the same time, anthropogenic activities are a growing concern in French Guiana, both in coastal and offshore areas. However, few studies are published on marine mammals, seabirds and potential interactions. Twenty-three marine mammal species are known to occur in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and important seabird breeding sites are located in the area. Most of the existing literature relates to breeding birds and coastal cetaceans, but the continental slope appears to be an essential habitat for marine mammals and seabirds. Between October 22 and November 23, 2017, an oceanographic survey was conducted on the Guiana slope to study the quality of sediments and water. Three marine fauna observers (MFOs) were onboard to record sightings of marine mammals and seabirds opportunistically. During 462 h of visual effort in good sighting conditions, 313 sightings (824 individuals) were recorded: 61 marine mammals (501 individuals) and 252 seabirds (323 individuals). Seven seabird families were observed: Laridae (42%), Fregatidae (26%), Procellariidae (12%), Stercorariidae (10%), Hydrobatidae (4%), Sulidae (2%) and Phaethontidae (1%). 3% concerned wader species. The most frequently observed seabird species was the magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), as well as the common tern (Sterna hirundo), Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and the pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus). Many Delphinidae species were observed (Stenella longirostris, Stenella attenuata, Stenella frontalis, Delphinus delphis, Tursiops truncatus) in addition to sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Only a few sightings of humpback whales have been previously recorded in this area. Sighted individuals were mainly mother-calf pairs suggesting that the area may be an extended part of a calving ground for humpback whales.

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First record of a humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781), stranding in Pará State, Northern coast of Brazil

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Whale, Whale, Everywhere: Increasing Abundance of Western South Atlantic Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Their Wintering Grounds

Whale, Whale, Everywhere: Increasing Abundance of Western South Atlantic Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Their Wintering Grounds

Shark scavenging and predation on cetaceans at Abrolhos Bank, eastern Brazil

New sightings records of marine mammals and seabirds off French Guiana

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