IMIS - Marine Onderzoeksgroepen

Satellite-monitored radio tags have yielded important information for the conservation and management of large whales. Tags provide far greater detail on large whale movements and habitat use than more traditional studies, and past tagging projects have revealed the existence of entirely unknown whale habitats. However, it is not uncommon for tags to stop transmitting within days to months of deployment, and follow-up studies on the individuals have been limited. Further work is needed to improve the scientific and conservation value of this technology. In this study, satellite tagging and its effects are being examined among Gulf of Maine humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). This is among the best studied humpback whale populations. Its strong fidelity to particular feeding sites, long feeding ground residency and strong overlap with observer effort that are expected to result in repeated sightings of tagged animals, and a maximized resighting potential in future years. The project will also produce new information on humpback whale movement and habitat use in relation to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The project is being undertaken by a multi-institutional team with expertise in whale behavior, ecology, anatomy, physiology, telemetry and wound healing processes. It includes scientists from the following institutions:

• Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) (http://www.antarctica.gov.au/science)
• Cascadia Research Collective (CRC) (http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/)
• Marine Mammal Center (MMC) (http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/)
• National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) (http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/)
• Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) (www.coastalstudies.org)

Research is being performed under NOAA scientific permit #14245. Primary research funding comes from NOAA and Exxon through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This is a project of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP).