Young humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae feeding in Santa Catarina coastal waters, Southern Brazil, and a ship strike report

Abstract

Background: Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae are cosmopolitan and highly migratory animals that rarely feed in low latitude waters during their breeding seasons. The western South Atlantic humpback whale population breeds off the Brazilian coast, from Natal (4°S) to Cabo Frio (23°S) and migration to their feeding grounds is known to be undertaken through offshore waters. Results: Here we report on an unusual stranding of a young humpback whale that was feeding in the coastal waters of Santa Catarina state (27°S), in October 2014. Evidence of a ship strike and that the animal had fed in no more than a few hours before death are also presented. Additionally, it is the first time that Peisos petrunkevitchi, a sergestid shrimp species, is described as prey for large whales. Conclusions: Although more information is required before we can further discuss whether the area could provide an important source of food for young humpback whales, the present ship strike highlights a possibly important threat in case this ecological feature is confirmed in the future.

Pathology and causes of death in stranded humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Brazil

“…In 2007, a calf was found dead on Itaparica Island, Bahia state, with multiple propeller wounds [ 20 ]. In 2014 a young female was found dead in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, with evidence of blunt trauma caused by vessel strike [ 21 ]. Three humpback whales were reported entangled in fishing gear in the waters off South-eastern Brazil; however, no pathological data were available [ 22 ].…”

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

“…Their known regular range during this period, however, comprises the Brazilian continental shelf and shelf break between Natal (5°S) and Cabo Frio (23°S) [ 15 , 16 ] and increasing records of sightings and strandings beyond this range (e.g. [ 20 – 24 ]) may indicate this recovering population is expanding its distribution range in the WSA breeding grounds.…”

“…Such a recovery and expansion of the WSA humpback whale population may result in increased conflicts with anthropogenic activities, including ship strikes [ 24 , 25 ], entanglements in fishing gear [ 26 , 27 ], and those related to the oil and gas industry [ 28 ]. Evaluation and appropriate management of the potential impacts of these activities on these animals require accurate assessment of population abundance and trends.…”

Sudden seasonal occurrence of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Firth of Forth, Scotland and first confirmed movement between high-latitude feeding grounds and United Kingdom waters

“…An alternative explanation for their presence in the Firth of Forth over the winter months may be that these are juvenile individuals that are either (a) required to make multiple feeding stops before full migrations owing to their much-reduced capacity to sustain long periods without feeding (Bortolotto et al 2016;Craig et al 2003) or (b) do not make complete migrations to breeding grounds but rather migrate only to continue feeding in mid-latitudes during winter and spring, as has been suggested for humpback whales observed off the mid- Atlantic states of the U.S. (Swingle et al 1993). There is also acoustic and molecular evidence that a proportion of the eastern North Atlantic adult population may not make complete migrations, although the reasons for this are currently unknown (Brown et al 1995;Charif et al 2001;Palsbøll et al 1995).…”