Population Estimate of the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the West Indies by Visual and Acoustic Techniques

Abstract

Visual track census and a new method, acoustic counting, were used to estimate the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) population in the West Indies. Results produced by the two methods differed to some extent. The average or best estimate was 1018 whales with a range of 785–1157. Silver and Navidad banks, containing approximately 85% of the total population, are presently the major nursery grounds in the West Indies. The humpback whale population in the western North Atlantic has increased since the early part of the century.