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SC/69B/SH/10
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Resource ID
22153
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/69B/SH/10
Full Title
Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) occurrence and migratory routes in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean
Author
Cremer, M. J.; Baracho-Neto, C.G.; Cypriano-Souza, A. L.; Wedekin, L. L.
Authors Summary
This work provides unprecedented information on the migratory routes of the Antarctic minke whale in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as data on its distribution systematically obtained between latitudes 23 and 28 S. Considering that information on the species' breeding areas is scarce, this data is relevant to contribute to knowledge about the distribution and movements of Antarctic minke whales in lower latitudes.
Publisher
IWC
Publication Year
2024
Abstract
The Antarctic minke whale is a migratory species with a circumpolar distribution in the southern hemisphere and may be found year round in their feeding grounds in the Antarctic. While the feeding areas are relatively well documented, the tropical breeding areas remain largely unknown. The aim of this work was to present new information about the occurrence of Antarctic minke whales in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and report the first migratory routes documented for this region using satellite transmitters. We conducted surveys aboard a 23.7-meter-long supply ship in the period of November, 2015, to February, 2023. Systematic surveys totaled 87,751 km, and 609 days traveled in effort, and telemetry surveys totaled 36,629 km and 359 days. Considering all the field effort, 17 sightings of Antarctic minke whales were recorded in Santos Basin. Seventeen sightings of Antarctic minke whales were recorded, mainly around the continental slope. Six individuals were tagged with satellite transmitters, being three males and one female, and four carried out migratory movements, three to the south (in July and November) and one to the north (in July). The results suggest individual variability in migration timing and patterns and are the first migratory movements documented for the Antarctic minke whale in the Atlantic Ocean.