The development of a Humpback Whale photo identification catalogue to inform Marine ...biodiversityadvisor.sanbi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/... · 2016-08-16 · The development

Summer Newton (MSc candidate)Supervisor: Prof. M Lombard, Co-Supervisor:

Prof. K Findlay

The development of a Humpback Whale photo identification catalogue to inform Marine

Spatial Planning in South Africa.

(Megaptera novaeangliae)

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Individual, unique pigmentation patterns

Breeding Stocks

summer feeding grounds

winter breeding grounds

Breeding Sub Stocks

• 19th – 20th century• Population

decline of

90%

• Entanglement

• Ship Strikes

• Noise Pollution

?

Goal

Collate all existing & new tail

fluke data

Photo identification catalogue

• Movement ecology

• Population dynamics

Aims

• Extent of mixing –

C1 & C3 breeding

sub stocks

• Extent of mixing –

B & C breeding

stocks

• Extent of migratory

precision in space

& time

Find Your Whale!

Aims Continued…

• Digital map to

inform Marine

Spatial Planning

(MSP) – inform

products & ensure

continuation of

healthy whale

stocks.

Thank you.