Research on Humpback and Blue Whales Off California, Oregon and Washington in 2002

Abstract

Abstract : Cascadia Research continued a long-term research effort on humpback and blue whales off California, Oregon, and Washington in 2002. The research had a number of components with the overall purpose to examine distribution, abundance, movements, and population dynamics of humpback and blue whales in the eastern North Pacific using photographic identification of individual animals. Also included in the effort in 2002 was monitoring underwater behavior and vocalizations of blue whales as part of a cooperative research effort with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, National Geographic and Office of Naval Research. Identification photographs were taken from a number of platforms and collaborators. Cascadia Research conducted 89 days of effort totaling 798 hours and 6,352 nmi from small boats. Additional identifications photographs were obtained by: 1) SWFSC scientists during the outbound leg of a cruise headed off California, 2) by the naturalists from the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary's Whale Corps opportunistically as a part of whale-watching trips in the Santa Barbara Channel, 4) by Peggy Stapp and Nancy Black opportunistically from whalewatch boats in Monterey Bay, and 5) as part of some surveys conducted by the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary off northern Washington. In total, suitable identification photographs of blue whales were made on 530 occasions representing 312 unique whales, one of our highest annual totals. Humpback whales were identified on 529 occasions representing 347 unique individuals.