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SC/69B/CMP/03
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Resource ID
22046
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/69B/CMP/03
Full Title
Ocean to ocean: First documented migration of a Southern right whale from the southwest Atlantic to the southeast Pacific
Author
Santiago Jos‚ Fern ndez, Marcela Uhart, Mariano Coscarella, Valeria Falabella, Mads Peter Heide-J?rgensen, Melinda Holland, Alumin‚ Orce, Mariano Sironi, Federico Sucunza And Alexandre N. Zerbini
Authors Summary
This paper describes the migration of a lactating female southern right whale tagged near Peninsula Valdes, Argentina with a consolidated "blubber-only" satellite transmitter to the southeast Pacific Ocean. Movements of this individual provide evidence of a possible migratory connection between the healthy and increasing Southwest Atlantic right whale population and the critically endangered Chile-Peru population, suggesting that the population structure of southern right whales along the west and east coast of South America should be further examined.
Publisher
IWC
Publication Year
2024
Abstract
Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) exhibit a circumpolar distribution in the Southern Hemisphere. In South America, this species occupies breeding and nursing grounds during the austral winter along both the Pacific (the Chile-Peru population) and Atlantic coasts (the west South Atlantic population). Available information on historical and contemporary feeding areas of the critically endangered Chile-Peru population is limited. A recent study has reported the presence of individuals near Isla Chilo‚, Chile, almost year-round, suggesting these areas might be used as feeding grounds. However, the question arises as to whether these individuals belong to the Chile-Peru population or originate from other populations. Individuals from the Atlantic population, breeding in Peninsula Vald‚s, Argentina, are being studied in a satellite telemetry project since 2014, where over a hundred whales have been tagged with the aim to understand their feeding areas. Specifically, during 2023, an adult female accompanied by her calf, named Athena, was tagged. After initiating its migration, this whale moved south to the southernmost tip of Cape Horn, then began moving north along the southern Chilean Pacific coast. This journey represents the first documented migratory movement of a whale that bred in Peninsula Vald‚s towards the waters of the southern Pacific Ocean. This event demonstrates not only the plasticity of movements of this species but also suggests potential genetic and demographic connectivity between these two populations. Furthermore, it raises doubts about the true existence of the Chile-Peru population in its southernmost distribution area. This journey highlights once again the importance of continuing satellite telemetry studies to better understand population-level movements and contribute to the global management and conservation of the species.