An Assessment of Gray Whale Movements in Acoustically Changing Nearshore Environments
Abstract
This grant helped fluid six field seasons over four years. The initial objective was to investigate the movements of gray whales in environments with varying levels of development and acoustic stimuli. The objective eventually broadened to identify the critical habitats of whales and investigate how natural variability and human activities affect the ways endangered whales utilize their environments. To accomplish these objectives, gray whales (1996) and humpbacks (1998) were tagged in Baja, blue whales were tagged along California (1998-99), and humpbacks were tagged around Hawaii (1998-99). The detailed route and rate of a gray whale's northbound migration was determined. Female gray whales with calves stayed in lagoons much longer than singular whales (x=22 days) suggesting the importance of these areas for development of newborn calves. We determined: Hawaiian humpbacks' movements in and around the winter reproductive grounds, various spring migration routes, new feeding areas, associations with oceanographic features, and movement patterns within the feeding grounds. Tagged blue whales were tracked during their feeding season off California, south along the Baja coast during their fall migration and to an upwelling area near the equator which is likely where some of the population goes to breed and calve.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 22, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372375
Entities
People
- Bruce R. Mate
Organizations
- Oregon State University