photo-identification of humpback whales · 2012-08-16 · table 7: june 27,2007-data compiled by...
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Photo-Identification of Humpback Whales
(Megaptera novaeangliae)
Puerto Lopez, Manabi, Ecuador
Erin Woods, University of Hawai'i at Miinoa Cristina Castro, Daniella Ferina, Pacific Whale Foundation Project Advisors
Jeff Kuwabara, MOP Advisor November 2007
Marine Option Program
Abstract
The marine area of Machalilla National Park, Ecuador, is a breeding and mating
area for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The Pacific Whale Foundation
conducts research on humpback whales in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador during the austral
winter. During the period of June 18,29,2007, seven research trips were made fiom
Puerto Lopez into the marine area of Machalilla National Park as part of a humpback
whale photo-identification project. Fifty-six whales were observed during this period, of
which only two whales were recaptures. Humpback whales showed aversion towards
whale-watching vessels and changed their behavior when vessels were in proximity.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Methods and Materials
Results
Discussion
Evaluation of Learning
List of Figures
List of Tables
References Cited
List of Figures
Figure 1 : Photo of Puerto Lopez
Figure 2: Study Area
Figure 3: Classification of whale tails
Figure 4: First Recapture identified
Figure 5 : Second Recapture identified
Figure 6: Three other boats surrounding a pod.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos were taken by Erin Woods
List of Tables
Table 1 : Summary of whale activity recorded June 19,2007
Table 2: Summary of whale activity recorded June 20,2007
Table 3 : Summary of whale activity recorded June 2 1,2007
Table 4: Summary of whale activity recorded June 25,2007
Table 5: Summary of whale activity recorded June 26,2007
Table 6: Summary of whale activity recorded June 27,2007
Table 7: Summary of whale activity recorded June 27,2007
Table 8: Summary of whale activity recorded June 28,2007
Introduction
Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, is a major breeding ground for humpback whales
(Megaptera novaeangliae), in the Southern Hemisphere. Little is known about
humpback whale breeding patterns or
distributions of these megafauna in the
Southern Ocean.
In 1996, Cristina Castro, an
Ecuadorian marine biologist, and other
researchers from Ecuador and Germany,
began an investigation of the population of humpback whales in the marine area of
Machalilla National Park, Ecuador (Scheidat, et al., 2000). Their objective was to
confirm that the marine waters of Machalilla National Park are a mating and breeding
location for humpback whales. Between 1996 and 1999, photos of tail flukes were taken
for the purpose of photo-identification of humpback whales in the area. When a whale
was sighted, investigators recorded the time, GPS position, behavior, group composition,
group size, and took photos of each whale for identification purposes (Scheidat et al.,
2000). Their study showed that humpbacks arrived in June; the temporary population
peaked from July to August, and declined again in September. They determined that the
area is a breeding ground for humpback whales, because if the marine waters of
Machalilla National Park were only a migratory path, the population would have peaked
in June and September, during the migration period (Scheidat et al., 2000).
Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) came to Puerto Lopez, Ecuador in 2001 where
they supported the ongoing study of humpback whales. PWF has photo-identified 200
whales from the period of 2001 to 2006 (pacificwhale-org). PWF works to re-capture
humpback whales in photos, to ascertain whether the whales are returning to Machalilla
National Park. Photo-identification of whales and determining recaptures helps
characterize the population of whales in Machalilla National Park, and to understand their
breeding and mating patterns.
The purpose of my participation during the 2007 whale research season was to
assist in the ongoing photo-identification project. The object was to gain more
knowledge regarding humpback whales and their use of Machalilla National Park. My
expectations were to learn to work effectively in a research team as well as to have a
working vacation with other members of the research team.
Methods and Materials
The study took place in the marine area of Machalilla National Park, Puerto
Lopez, Manabi, Ecuador, which is located between Isla de La Plata in the west and the
Ecuadorian coast in the east. The project advisors were
the principle investigator Cristina Castro, and her
assistant Daniella Ferina, both of the Pacific Whale
Foundation. Interns included Talia Dominella
(California State University, Channel Islands) and
myself (UHM).
When a pod was s~otted, date, time, '''9 group Fjpre 2; stU& area, www&mm.wg
size and composition (calf, adult, sub-adult), and general activity of the whale(s)
(swimming, milling (where a pod may display a variety of behaviors, without traveling in
a specific direction), traveling, and resting) were recorded (pacificwhale.org). Research
was conducted on 8-meter, fiberglass, commercial whale-watching vessels. For photo-
identification purposes, photos were taken with PWF's Canon Dl0 digital cameras and
my Nikon D70s digital camera.
"Recaptures" were determined by comparing markings, shape, and color
pigmentation of tail flukes. PWF categorizes tail flukes based on a color-scale (Figure
3): all white tails are Category 1, some black pigment is Category 2, center of the tail
colored is Category 3, Category 4 and 5 tails look very similar and were grouped together
in this study, Category 6 tails have a black pigment outline along the fluke, Category 7
tails have more pigment than a 6 and Category 8 tails have more pigment coverage than a
7, Category 9 tails are all black.
Figure 3: Classification of whale tails, @om Pacific Whale Foundation, 2007
PWF pre-departure information indicated that a typical day in the field would include the following schedule:
6:00 am-wake up, breakfast, assemble equipment, equipment check. 7:00 am-leave research house, weather permitting, drive to the boat and launch the
research vessel. 7:30arn-2:30pm-conduct field observations. 2:30pm-4:30pm-unload equipment, clean and service equipment, organize data records
for daily summary and computer entry.
However, a typical day in the field during the time I spent with the research project was:
8:00 am-wake up, breakfast, equipment management. 9:OO-10:OO am-leave research house, launch research vessel. -9110:OO am-4:00 pm-conduct field observations. -4:OO pm-unload equipment, equipment management -5:OO pm-7:00 pm-Spanish class -7:OO pm--dinner and free time - 10:OO pm- 1 1 :00 pm--organize data records for daily summary and computer entry
Daily Schedule:
June 18: arrive in Puerto Lopez, orientation June 19: research observations onboard Lobo Marino, attend evening meeting with
Cristina June 20: visit Isla de La Plata June 2 1 : research observations onboard Cherry Sea June 22: visit local private school June 23: free day, went surfing June 24: photo comparison of tail flukes June 25: research observations conducted on Machalilla National Park boat, sleep on Isla
de La Plata June 26: research observations onboard Machalilla National Park boat June 27: research observations onboard Mantaraya June 28: visit Isla de La Plata June 29: photo comparison of tail flukes, leave Puerto Lopez
Results
Over the two week period, a total of seven days were dedicated to photo-
identification research on the water. Observations were recorded to the best of the
researchers' abilities, but the results were inconsistent. There was usually only one
research team, but on June 27,2007, research was conducted by two research teams on
different boats. Fifty-six whales were seen during the seven days of research. Of the 56
whales observed, 50 were adults, 4 were sub-adults, and 2 were calves. Although every
whale behaved differently, behavior had a tendency to change with the presence of boats.
Tables 1-8 below show the data recorded along with activity of the whales.
Begin Sighting
1 1 :45 am
12:06 pm
12:38 pm
1 :40 pm
2:37 pm
Table 2: June 20,2007
Table End Sighting
12:03 pm
- -- 12:20 pm
1252 pm
2:00 pm
Being Sighting
10:32 am
Longitude
1 : June Total time with whale(s)
18 min.
14 min
14 min.
20 min.
End Sighting
Pod I # of I # of I # of I Activitv
UTM98345 14 17M05 15202 I
19,2007
Total time with whale(s)
1 1 :02 am 1
Latitude
17M05 16585
17M0516641
Latitude
30 min. 2
Longitude
UTM985 1325
UTM9858408
Swimming slowly-2-3 mph or slower
Pod Number
1
2
3
4
5
# of Adults
(AD)
2
1
3
2
4
# of Sub-
adults (SA)
# of Calves
(CA)
1
Activity Information
Medium Swim- 2-3 mph. Possible escort. Little surface activity. Resting. Little surface activity. Pectoral Fin Slaps. Tail Slaps and fluke up dives. Lots of surface activity. Fluke up dives. Only seen in the distance. We did not follow this pod. Lots of surface activity
Table 3 : June 2 1,2007
Table 5: June 26.2007
Activity Information
Tried to swim away from boat. Several tail slaps, breaching, fluke extensions. Whales swam faster and dove more as we pursued the pod.
Activity Information
Seen from about 300 meters away. Adult with calf. Adult was pregnant Very active. Tail slaps, head riselspy hop, breaching, peduncle slap, fluke up dive. They tried to swim away from us. This group appeared while we were following the third pod.
# of Calves
(CA)
# of Calves
(CA)
1
# of Sub-
adults (SA)
# of Sub-
adults (SA)
# of Adults
(AD)
5
# of Adults
(AD)
2
1
5
3
# of Sub-
adults (SA)
1
Pod Number
1
Pod Number
1
2
Pod Number
1
Longitude
Longitude
080.51.141
080.56.808
080.56.938
Table 4: June 25,2007
# of Calves
(CA)
# of Adults
(AD)
Latitude
01.19.724
Total time with whale(s)
- - - -
Latitude
Activity Information
Milling active. Several tail slaps
Longitude
080.57.440
Begin Sighting
10:49 am
Total time with whale(s)
45 min
Begin Sighting
3:45 pm
Latitude
01.19.307
01.18.036
01.17.309
End Sighting
End Sighting
4: 30
Total time with whale(s)
4 min.
45 min.
Begin Sighting
1:02 pm
152 pm
3:15 pm
3:27 pm
End Sighting
1:06 pm
2:37 pm
Table 6: June 27,2007-Data compiled by Cristina Castro and Erin Woods
080.53.634
080.52.713
080.50.847
11:30 am
11:43 am
12:58 pm
Table 7: June 27,2007-Data compiled by Daniella Ferina and Talia Dominella
Fluke up dive.
Breaching, pectoral fin, dual pec. fin and tail slaps. Whales began traveling fast as we approached them. Head rise. Possibly the same sub-adult fi-om before.
2
3
4
Being Sighting
10:31 am
1 l:18 am
1 1 :52 am
12:13 pm
1 : 1 1 pm
2:05 pm
Being Sighting
10:39 am
11:39 am
12:OO pm
Table 8: June 28,2007
Longitude
UTM983 1263
UTM9853396
UTM9855 170
UTM9856878
UTM9853443
UTM9835844
Being Sighting
11:08am
1
3
01.19.466
01 .I 8.580
01.19.058
11:40 am
12:35 pm
I : 04 pm
End Sighting
10:35 am
1151 am
12:OO pm
1 :3 1 pm
2: 12 pm
End Sighting
10:45 am
1153 am
12:11
1
10 min.
48 min.
6 min.
End Sighting
ll:17am
Total time with whale(s)
4 min.
33 min.
8 min.
20 min.
Pod Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total time with whale(s)
6 min.
14 min.
p m - r
Latitude
17M05 14623
17M0514353
17M05 15691
17M05 15667
17M05 18072
17M05 1924 1
# of Adults
(AD)
2
2
2
2
# of Sub-
adults (SA)
1
Total time with whale(s)
9min.
Latitude
01.30.880
01.19.381
001.17.790 pp
# of Calves
(CA)
Latitude
01.22.184
Activity Information
Resting
Traveling fast; more than 5 mph Traveling fast; more than 5 mph
Traveling slow; less than 2 mph
Longitude
80.49.953
80.5 1.275
80.51.234
Longitude
080.58.225
Pod Number
1
2
3
Pod Number
1
# of Adults
(AD)
1
4
2
# of Adults
(AD)
1
# of Sub-
adults (SA)
# of Sub-
adults (SA)
# of Calves
(CA)
Activity Information
Milling, resting.
Fluke slaps
Only the dorsal fins were visible
# of Calves
(CA)
Activity Information
Swimming slowly
4:18 pm 4:40 pm 22 min. 01.17.916 081.01.057 2 1 Milling active. Fin slaps. Two other boats joined us. Whale's behavior began to change. Several tail slaps. Breached. Dove for 15 minutes, then did more tail slaps. Head rise and another breach.
Discussion
The marine area of Machalilla National Park, Puerto Lopez, Manabi, Ecuador, is a
potential mating zone for humpback whales. The first whales arrive at the end of May
and abundance peaks in July (Felix et al., 2001). Humpback whale sightings decline by
the end of September, with whales occasionally seen around Isla de La Plata (Felix et al.,
2001 and Scheidat et al., 2000).
It was difficult to take quality photographs when many tourists were in the
researchers' way and the boat was moving side to side. Also, several tourists asked
questions while the researchers were trying to record observations, which led to more
inconsistencies in the records. Recaptures rates were extremely low. Of the 56 whales
seen, only two were recaptures. During the study conducted by Scheidat et al2000., only
five whales were re-sighted although one individual was seen every year from 1996 to
2000. Photo comparison was difficult due to photos being taken at different angles and
the various quality of photos. The first recaptured whale was seen on June 21. This adult
whale had a category 4 or 5 tail. The second recapture was a sub-adult seen on June 26
and displayed several different behaviors, including slaps. A tail slap may serve as a
warning sign, although the whale-watching boat continued to stalk the whales after
several slaps. All boats surrounding the pod, including the "research vessel" were whale-
watching tour boats. The "research vessel" stayed with the pod for 45 minutes; it is
unknown for how long the other three vessels stayed with the pod. The whales in the
group also did several pectoral fin slaps, which may have been a communication signal
between members of the pod (http://hawaiianhumpbackwhale.noaa.gov). Other activities
included a head rise, so the whale could see activity on the surface and breaching
(http://hawaiianhumpbackwhale.noaa.gov). As the whale-watching vessel continued to
follow the whales, an action discouraged by the International Whaling Commission
(IWC), they continuously changed their behavior
(http:/ /www.iwcofEce.org/conservation/ww). The whales swam in zig-zag
motions, swam faster, and dove for longer periods of time with the boat's presence.
The sub-adult recaptured whale was milling actively when seen, performing
several peduncle slaps. A peduncle slap is when
the tail is thrown out of the water, so the peduncle
slaps on the surface, and fluke is shown
(http://hawaiianhumpbackwhale.noaa.gov). As
the boat followed the whale, the sub-adult did
several tail slaps. The research boat was the first boat with the whale, but three other
boats were also following the whale. The longer the vessel was with the pod, the more
frequent and violent the slaps became.
The two recaptured whales were not the
only whales whose behavior changed due to the
presence of whale-watching vessels. On several
days, the whales did tail slaps, which are thought of
as warning they did not want to be followed (hawaiianhumpbackwhale.noaa.gov). Many
whales swam in zig-zagging patterns and dove to elude the vessels. Several of the whale-
watching companies pass out fliers to the tourists. On the fliers, it states that there should
be no more than three boats surrounding a pod. On several occasions, there were more
than three boats around a pod, with five boats being the highest number observed during
my research period.
Puerto Lopez and the whale-watching industry of Ecuador need to develop more
sustainable practices. If the pursuit of whales continues, the whales may change their
behavior and eventually may not breed in those waters. More studies need to be
conducted to fully understand humpback whale breeding and mating in the area, but on
legitimate research vessels. Also, more environmental education should be taught in the
local schools. Currently, PWF speaks to a different class once every two weeks, but
only during the whale season. Environmental education should be a year-round class
taught in the local schools.
I predict that as Puerto Lopez continues to grow, so will the whale-watching
industry. Most of the people of Puerto Lopez understand the value of the whales and
work to prevent their extinction. Puerto Lopez's economy is centered on the whales, as it
is the village's main attraction. Without the whales, Puerto Lopez's economy would
struggle.
Evaluation of Learning
This experience was absolutely wonderful and life changing. I had the
opportunity to travel to a small village in South America, where daily life is very
different from life in the United States. Life in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, is much simpler
and the people there seem more content than in the United States, although they do not
have the same monetary enjoyments. I loved being in a situation that made me realize
how lucky we are in the US for what we have. I preferred working as a team, as opposed
to working alone. One really needs a second set of eyes when comparing whale tails.
The team did not need or prefer close supervision. During the course of the internship,
many things did not go as planned, but I think that made things more exciting. Many
days we had no idea which boat we were using or what time we were leaving and
returning.
Puerto Lopez needs the ocean to survive, and I learned how connected they are to
it. Although the local people may not have college or even high school educations, they
know a great deal about the ocean. I learned many skills through this project. The MOP
project was my first proposal, but it helped me with my proposal for Environmental
Studies. This project also improved my report writing skills. I learned how to use a GPS
device, which will be useful in the future. My favorite part of the internship was taking
photos, and I really enjoyed every moment on the water with my camera. I was glad that
Cristina bent a few of Pacific Whale Foundation's rules and allowed us to take photos.
I would like to thank Cristina Castro for all of her guidance in Ecuador. I hope to
one day return to Puerto Lopez. I would also like to thank Daniella Ferina and Talia
Dominella for being great teammates during the internship. I would like to give infinite
thanks to my parents for paying the internship fees, my plane tickets, and for all of their
support in general. Without my parents, I would never have had this opportunity. I
would like to thank Julie Grass for motivating me to complete my MOP certificate.
During the internship, I expected to see many whales, and I did. I did not expect
to see any recaptures, but we saw two. I thought it was difficult to identify whales based
on photos. I hoped to gain an insight on whale research and gain some experience in the
field, but the internship would have been more effective if it was longer. By the time we
were used to going out on the boats, properly working the GPS, and getting accurate
photos, it was time to leave Puerto Lopez. Also, if I were to do this again or another
student did this project, I would recommend speaking Spanish before you go, bringing
sea-sickness patches, and understanding Ecuadorian time. Ecuadorian time is similar to
Hawaiian time-almost everyone is late. But overall, go to Puerto Lopez having a very
open mind because it is an amazing place.
References Cited
Felix. Fernando & Hasse, B (2001). The humpback whale off the coast of Ecuador, population parameters and behavior. Revista de Biologia Marina y Oceanografia, 36(1), 61-74.
Felix, F, Castro, C., Hasse, B., Forestell, P., Alava, J., & Scheidat, M. New estimate of southeastern humpback whale stock off Ecuador [Online]. Available h t t p : / / w w w . f e m m . o r g / I n f o r m e s / F e l i x % 2 0 e t a e l . p d f [2007, Sept. 211.
International Whaling Commission (2004, May). Whalewatching guidelines [Online]. Available ttp://www.iwcoMice.org/conservation/wwguide1inesShtm [2007, Sept. 201
NOAA (2007, Jan. 12). Humpback whale behaviors [Online]. Available http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/specid~offerings/sp~o~publication~~s/ Behavior-sheet.pdf [2007, Sept. 211
Pacific Whale Foundation (2006). Ecuador research project [Online]. Available http://www.pacificwhale.org/sitecontent/content.php?PageId=26 [2007, Sept. 201
Scheidat, M., Castro, C., Denkinger, J., Gonzalez, J., Adelung, D. (2000). A breeding area for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off Ecuador. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, 2(3): 1 65- 17 1.