de Vos,Asha,Faux,Cassandra E.,Marthick,James,Dickinson,Joanne,Jarman,Simon N.
New Determination of Prey and Parasite Species for Northern Indian Ocean Blue Whales Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 5, no. 84, 2018, ISBN: 2296-7745.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acanthocephala, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, behaviour, blue whales, DNA metabarcoding,Sri Lanka,Blue whales,feeding,Northern Indian Ocean,faeces,Sergestid,Euphausiidae,Acanthocephala,shrimp,krill,behaviour, euphasids, Faeces, fecal analysis, feeding, Krill, Northern Indian Ocean, parasites, prey, Sergestid shrimp, shrimp, Sri Lanka
@article{,
title = {New Determination of Prey and Parasite Species for Northern Indian Ocean Blue Whales},
author = {de Vos,Asha,Faux,Cassandra E.,Marthick,James,Dickinson,Joanne,Jarman,Simon N.},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00104},
issn = {2296-7745},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science},
volume = {5},
number = {84},
abstract = {Blue whales are little studied, face significant anthropogenic threats and within the Northern Indian Ocean, have a restricted range, making them an archetype for conservation needs of megafauna around the world. We studied feeding behaviour of blue whales using dietary DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples. While globally blue whale populations feed predominantly on Euphausiidae, 87 % of prey DNA amplicons extracted from faecal samples from this population were sergestid shrimp, demonstrating that blue whales can locate and feed on dense swarms of other types of prey when they occur. Within the Indian Ocean sergestids are present within the top 300 m, which correlates with the deep scattering layer observed by hydroacoustics. Studies suggest that this requirement to dive deeper in search of prey likely explains the prevalence of fluke up diving within this population of blue whales relative to other parts of the globe. Furthermore, this study revealed the presence of acanthocephalan endoparasites within the stomach and intestines of the Northern Indian Ocean blue whales. This represents the first record of Acanthocephala in blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean and highlights the need for further studies on both the ecto- and endoparasitic flora and monitoring of health of these cetaceans for their management and conservation.},
keywords = {Acanthocephala, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, behaviour, blue whales, DNA metabarcoding,Sri Lanka,Blue whales,feeding,Northern Indian Ocean,faeces,Sergestid,Euphausiidae,Acanthocephala,shrimp,krill,behaviour, euphasids, Faeces, fecal analysis, feeding, Krill, Northern Indian Ocean, parasites, prey, Sergestid shrimp, shrimp, Sri Lanka},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Blue whales are little studied, face significant anthropogenic threats and within the Northern Indian Ocean, have a restricted range, making them an archetype for conservation needs of megafauna around the world. We studied feeding behaviour of blue whales using dietary DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples. While globally blue whale populations feed predominantly on Euphausiidae, 87 % of prey DNA amplicons extracted from faecal samples from this population were sergestid shrimp, demonstrating that blue whales can locate and feed on dense swarms of other types of prey when they occur. Within the Indian Ocean sergestids are present within the top 300 m, which correlates with the deep scattering layer observed by hydroacoustics. Studies suggest that this requirement to dive deeper in search of prey likely explains the prevalence of fluke up diving within this population of blue whales relative to other parts of the globe. Furthermore, this study revealed the presence of acanthocephalan endoparasites within the stomach and intestines of the Northern Indian Ocean blue whales. This represents the first record of Acanthocephala in blue whales in the Northern Indian Ocean and highlights the need for further studies on both the ecto- and endoparasitic flora and monitoring of health of these cetaceans for their management and conservation.
Thomas, Peter O.,Reeves, Randall R.,Brownell, Robert L.
Status of the world's baleen whales Journal Article
In: Marine Mammal Science, no. 242, 2015, ISBN: 1748-7692.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: anthropogenic noise, baleen whales, blue whales, Bycatch, cetaceans, Climate change, Endangered species, Entanglement, IUCN, ocean acidification, Red List, ship strike, status, whaling
@article{,
title = {Status of the world's baleen whales},
author = {Thomas, Peter O.,Reeves, Randall R.,Brownell, Robert L.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mms.12281},
issn = {1748-7692},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Marine Mammal Science},
number = {242},
abstract = {No global synthesis of the status of baleen whales has been published since the 2008 IUCN Red List assessments. Many populations remain at low numbers from historical commercial whaling, which had ceased for all but a few by 1989. Fishing gear entanglement and ship strikes are the most severe current threats. The acute and long-term effects of anthropogenic noise and the cumulative effects of multiple stressors are of concern but poorly understood. The looming consequences of climate change and ocean acidification remain difficult to characterize. North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales are among the species listed as Endangered. Southern right, bowhead, and gray whales have been assessed as Least Concern but some subpopulations of these species - western North Pacific gray whales, Chile-Peru right whales, and Svalbard/Barents Sea and Sea of Okhotsk bowhead whales - remain at low levels and are either Endangered or Critically Endangered. Eastern North Pacific blue whales have reportedly recovered, but Antarctic blue whales remain at about 1% of pre-exploitation levels. Small isolated subspecies or subpopulations, such as northern Indian Ocean blue whales, Arabian Sea humpback whales, and Mediterranean Sea fin whales are threatened while most subpopulations of sei, Bryde's, and Omura's whales are inadequately monitored and difficult to assess.},
keywords = {anthropogenic noise, baleen whales, blue whales, Bycatch, cetaceans, Climate change, Endangered species, Entanglement, IUCN, ocean acidification, Red List, ship strike, status, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
No global synthesis of the status of baleen whales has been published since the 2008 IUCN Red List assessments. Many populations remain at low numbers from historical commercial whaling, which had ceased for all but a few by 1989. Fishing gear entanglement and ship strikes are the most severe current threats. The acute and long-term effects of anthropogenic noise and the cumulative effects of multiple stressors are of concern but poorly understood. The looming consequences of climate change and ocean acidification remain difficult to characterize. North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales are among the species listed as Endangered. Southern right, bowhead, and gray whales have been assessed as Least Concern but some subpopulations of these species - western North Pacific gray whales, Chile-Peru right whales, and Svalbard/Barents Sea and Sea of Okhotsk bowhead whales - remain at low levels and are either Endangered or Critically Endangered. Eastern North Pacific blue whales have reportedly recovered, but Antarctic blue whales remain at about 1% of pre-exploitation levels. Small isolated subspecies or subpopulations, such as northern Indian Ocean blue whales, Arabian Sea humpback whales, and Mediterranean Sea fin whales are threatened while most subpopulations of sei, Bryde's, and Omura's whales are inadequately monitored and difficult to assess.
Baldwin, R.,Collins, T.J.Q.,Minton, G.,Willson, A.,Corkeron, P.
Arabian Sea humpback whales 2011 update: resights, bubble feeding and hotspots Journal Article
In: Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, vol. SC/54/O4, no. 23, pp. 5, 2011.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, blue whales, breeding, feeding, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, photo identification, sperm whales
@article{,
title = {Arabian Sea humpback whales 2011 update: resights, bubble feeding and hotspots},
author = {Baldwin, R.,Collins, T.J.Q.,Minton, G.,Willson, A.,Corkeron, P.},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/54/O4},
number = {23},
pages = {5},
abstract = {The 2010 report of the Scientific Committee (IWC/62/Rep 1) expressed grave concern for the resident ‘Arabian
Sea humpback whale population’. The Committee made strong recommendations for additional research to
monitor the status of this Endangered population which has a restricted range, is reproductively isolated, has a
very small population size (n=82 (95% CI=60-111)) and is known to interact with humans with negative
consequences. A survey during March 2011 resulted in 47 sightings of humpback whales representing
approximately12 individuals. Sightings included a mother-calf pair, observation of competitive behaviour and
frequent feeding including use of ‘bubble cloud’ and ‘bubble net’ structures, all of which have been rarely
witnessed in Oman on previous surveys. At least three known individuals were identified, among them those that
have been re-sighted as many as four times previously and those that have been previously photographed at the
same location. Song was recorded on numerous occasions from the survey vessel and one Cornell MARU was
deployed resulting in acquisition of over 20 days of continuous recordings which are undergoing analysis.
Threats from fishing activity, coastal development and vessel traffic were documented, and an apparent attack on
a humpback whale by false killer whales was witnessed. Numerous other cetacean species were recorded,
including other large whales (blue whales, Bryde’s whales and sperm whales – all with calves – and numerous
small cetaceans). The majority of sightings were clustered around Ras Hasik and all feeding behaviour, including
that by humpback, blue and Bryde’s whales occurred within 2-3 kilometers of this apparent ‘hotspot’. Further
research is recommended which may be best determined via the Conservation Management Planning process.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, blue whales, breeding, feeding, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, photo identification, sperm whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The 2010 report of the Scientific Committee (IWC/62/Rep 1) expressed grave concern for the resident ‘Arabian
Sea humpback whale population’. The Committee made strong recommendations for additional research to
monitor the status of this Endangered population which has a restricted range, is reproductively isolated, has a
very small population size (n=82 (95% CI=60-111)) and is known to interact with humans with negative
consequences. A survey during March 2011 resulted in 47 sightings of humpback whales representing
approximately12 individuals. Sightings included a mother-calf pair, observation of competitive behaviour and
frequent feeding including use of ‘bubble cloud’ and ‘bubble net’ structures, all of which have been rarely
witnessed in Oman on previous surveys. At least three known individuals were identified, among them those that
have been re-sighted as many as four times previously and those that have been previously photographed at the
same location. Song was recorded on numerous occasions from the survey vessel and one Cornell MARU was
deployed resulting in acquisition of over 20 days of continuous recordings which are undergoing analysis.
Threats from fishing activity, coastal development and vessel traffic were documented, and an apparent attack on
a humpback whale by false killer whales was witnessed. Numerous other cetacean species were recorded,
including other large whales (blue whales, Bryde’s whales and sperm whales – all with calves – and numerous
small cetaceans). The majority of sightings were clustered around Ras Hasik and all feeding behaviour, including
that by humpback, blue and Bryde’s whales occurred within 2-3 kilometers of this apparent ‘hotspot’. Further
research is recommended which may be best determined via the Conservation Management Planning process.
Sea humpback whale population’. The Committee made strong recommendations for additional research to
monitor the status of this Endangered population which has a restricted range, is reproductively isolated, has a
very small population size (n=82 (95% CI=60-111)) and is known to interact with humans with negative
consequences. A survey during March 2011 resulted in 47 sightings of humpback whales representing
approximately12 individuals. Sightings included a mother-calf pair, observation of competitive behaviour and
frequent feeding including use of ‘bubble cloud’ and ‘bubble net’ structures, all of which have been rarely
witnessed in Oman on previous surveys. At least three known individuals were identified, among them those that
have been re-sighted as many as four times previously and those that have been previously photographed at the
same location. Song was recorded on numerous occasions from the survey vessel and one Cornell MARU was
deployed resulting in acquisition of over 20 days of continuous recordings which are undergoing analysis.
Threats from fishing activity, coastal development and vessel traffic were documented, and an apparent attack on
a humpback whale by false killer whales was witnessed. Numerous other cetacean species were recorded,
including other large whales (blue whales, Bryde’s whales and sperm whales – all with calves – and numerous
small cetaceans). The majority of sightings were clustered around Ras Hasik and all feeding behaviour, including
that by humpback, blue and Bryde’s whales occurred within 2-3 kilometers of this apparent ‘hotspot’. Further
research is recommended which may be best determined via the Conservation Management Planning process.
Mehta,A.V.
How important are baleen whales as prey for killer whales (Orcinus orca) in high-latitude waters? PhD Thesis
2004.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Alaska, Antarctic, Atlantic, Australia, baleen whales, Blue whale, blue whales, Gulf of Maine, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, killer whale, killer whales, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Atlantic, North Atlantic right whale, North Pacific, Oman, Orca, Orcinus orca, population, prey, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, right whale, right whales, whale, whales, whaling
@phdthesis{,
title = {How important are baleen whales as prey for killer whales (Orcinus orca) in high-latitude waters?},
author = {Mehta,A.V.},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-01-01},
number = {403},
pages = {1-15},
publisher = {Boston University},
abstract = {Data on humpback whales were collected from twenty-one regions: eleven in the North Atlantic and three in the North Pacific, as well as American Samoa, Vava'u (Tonga), New Zealand, New Caledonia, western Australia, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Oman. The other species and subspecies included in this project were sampled from a single population each (Fig. 1): North Atlantic right whales, blue whales off southeastern Australia, and pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) off western Australia. The proportion of whales in different sampling regions bearing rake marks ranged from 0% to over 40%. The Gulf of Maine population had a scarring rate of 9.9-11%, while SW Alaska had a rate of 21.1 to 21.9%. Oman had a rate of 9.1% (3 of 33 animals). The highest rate of scarring was the "Mexico" population with a scarring rate of over 40%. Of those scarred animals with multi-year sighting histories, 82.8% to 100% had those scars the first time they were sighted. Of the total number of whales sampled from these regions, 0% to only 4.8% acquired new or additional rake marks after their first sighting, supporting the hypothesis that most whales aquire their scars as calves, and that adult baleen whales do not constitute a major prey source for killer whales.Overall, the present study suggests that the hypothesis presented by Springer et al. (2003) - that killer whales in the North Pacific were forced by industrial whaling to switch prey from baleen whales to pinnipeds and sea otters - is untenable.},
keywords = {Alaska, Antarctic, Atlantic, Australia, baleen whales, Blue whale, blue whales, Gulf of Maine, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, killer whale, killer whales, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Atlantic, North Atlantic right whale, North Pacific, Oman, Orca, Orcinus orca, population, prey, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, right whale, right whales, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
Data on humpback whales were collected from twenty-one regions: eleven in the North Atlantic and three in the North Pacific, as well as American Samoa, Vava'u (Tonga), New Zealand, New Caledonia, western Australia, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Oman. The other species and subspecies included in this project were sampled from a single population each (Fig. 1): North Atlantic right whales, blue whales off southeastern Australia, and pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) off western Australia. The proportion of whales in different sampling regions bearing rake marks ranged from 0% to over 40%. The Gulf of Maine population had a scarring rate of 9.9-11%, while SW Alaska had a rate of 21.1 to 21.9%. Oman had a rate of 9.1% (3 of 33 animals). The highest rate of scarring was the "Mexico" population with a scarring rate of over 40%. Of those scarred animals with multi-year sighting histories, 82.8% to 100% had those scars the first time they were sighted. Of the total number of whales sampled from these regions, 0% to only 4.8% acquired new or additional rake marks after their first sighting, supporting the hypothesis that most whales aquire their scars as calves, and that adult baleen whales do not constitute a major prey source for killer whales.Overall, the present study suggests that the hypothesis presented by Springer et al. (2003) - that killer whales in the North Pacific were forced by industrial whaling to switch prey from baleen whales to pinnipeds and sea otters - is untenable.
Mikhalev,Y.A.
Bryde's whales of the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters Technical Report
no. 157, 2002, ISBN: SC/49/035.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, Distribution, IWC, marine, Soviet whaling, stomach contents, whale, whales, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Bryde's whales of the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters},
author = {Mikhalev,Y.A.},
issn = {SC/49/035},
year = {2002},
date = {2002-01-01},
journal = {Report presented to the Scientific Committee of the Internaitonal Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/49/035},
number = {157},
pages = {1-10},
abstract = {Zemsky and Sazhinov (1982) reported that the Soviet Union continued to take blue whales long after they were protected by the IWC. It became possible to pulish the data about this illegal whaling only after the disintegration of the Soviet Union (Tormosov 1993 - Report on 10th Biennial Meeting of the Society of Marine Mammalogy in Galveston, Texas; Yablokov 1994; Doroshenko 1996; Mikhalev 1997). The most complete available data on Soviet whaling were presented at the 45th and 46th meetings of the IWC and were discussed by the Scientific Committee (Zemsky et al 1995; Tormosov 1995; Zemsky et al 1996). A more detailed comparison between the accurate data and falsified data, which were submitted to the IWC by Soviet whaling fleets, for the period from 1947 to 1972 was published in a separate volume (Zemsky et al 1995, 1996). As a continuation of the recent publication of actual Soviet whaling data, this report presents data on illegal catches of Bryde's whales in the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters up to 5§ - 10§S. Data are presented on sex, size, distribution, stomach contents of whales taken as well as the reproductive state of females and the sizes of fetuses.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, Distribution, IWC, marine, Soviet whaling, stomach contents, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Zemsky and Sazhinov (1982) reported that the Soviet Union continued to take blue whales long after they were protected by the IWC. It became possible to pulish the data about this illegal whaling only after the disintegration of the Soviet Union (Tormosov 1993 - Report on 10th Biennial Meeting of the Society of Marine Mammalogy in Galveston, Texas; Yablokov 1994; Doroshenko 1996; Mikhalev 1997). The most complete available data on Soviet whaling were presented at the 45th and 46th meetings of the IWC and were discussed by the Scientific Committee (Zemsky et al 1995; Tormosov 1995; Zemsky et al 1996). A more detailed comparison between the accurate data and falsified data, which were submitted to the IWC by Soviet whaling fleets, for the period from 1947 to 1972 was published in a separate volume (Zemsky et al 1995, 1996). As a continuation of the recent publication of actual Soviet whaling data, this report presents data on illegal catches of Bryde's whales in the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters up to 5§ - 10§S. Data are presented on sex, size, distribution, stomach contents of whales taken as well as the reproductive state of females and the sizes of fetuses.
Mikhalev,Y.A.
Whaling in the Arabian Sea by the whaling fleets Slava and Sovetskaya Ukraina Book
Center for Russian Environmental Policy, Marine Mammal Council, 2000.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, Soviet whaling, sperm whale, sperm whales, whale, whales, whaling
@book{,
title = {Whaling in the Arabian Sea by the whaling fleets Slava and Sovetskaya Ukraina},
author = {Mikhalev,Y.A.},
year = {2000},
date = {2000-01-01},
journal = {Soviet Whaling Data [1949-1979]},
number = {156},
pages = {141-181},
publisher = {Center for Russian Environmental Policy, Marine Mammal Council},
abstract = {Thus, each of the two fleets, Slava and Sovetskaya Ukraina, operated in the Arabian Sea during three cruises. Their operations covered the period from 23 October to 15 December taking into account all the years of whaling in the Arabian Sea. In total these fleets took 1294 pygmy blue whales, 849 Bryde's whales, 242 humpback whales, and 954 sperm whales.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, Soviet whaling, sperm whale, sperm whales, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Thus, each of the two fleets, Slava and Sovetskaya Ukraina, operated in the Arabian Sea during three cruises. Their operations covered the period from 23 October to 15 December taking into account all the years of whaling in the Arabian Sea. In total these fleets took 1294 pygmy blue whales, 849 Bryde's whales, 242 humpback whales, and 954 sperm whales.
Anderson,R.C.,Shaan,A.,Waheed,Z.
Records of cetacean "strandings" from the Maldives Journal Article
In: Journal of South Asian Natural History, vol. 4, no. 12, pp. 187-202, 1999.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Central Indian Ocean, Indian Ocean, Maldives, sperm whales, Strandings
@article{,
title = {Records of cetacean "strandings" from the Maldives},
author = {Anderson,R.C.,Shaan,A.,Waheed,Z.},
year = {1999},
date = {1999-01-01},
journal = {Journal of South Asian Natural History},
volume = {4},
number = {12},
pages = {187-202},
abstract = {Published records of 26 cetacean strandings are reviewed, and an additional 56 records are presented. the sperm whale is the most frequently reported species, accounting for about half of all reported strandings. Blue whales most often strand on Maldivian and other south Asian coasts during January to April; we suggest that they migrate from the central Indian Ocean to the western Arabian Sea to feed on upwelling-associated plankton during July to October. Eight other species are positively identified, including the gingko-toothed beaked whale. Floating carcasses of dead cetaceans drift with the monsoon currents and so are found most commonly off the west coast during the southwest monsoon season, and off the east coast during the northeast monsoon season. Cetaceans are not hunted in the Maldives, but there is evidence that some cetaceans killed by the fishing activities of other countries drift into Maldivian waters.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Central Indian Ocean, Indian Ocean, Maldives, sperm whales, Strandings},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Published records of 26 cetacean strandings are reviewed, and an additional 56 records are presented. the sperm whale is the most frequently reported species, accounting for about half of all reported strandings. Blue whales most often strand on Maldivian and other south Asian coasts during January to April; we suggest that they migrate from the central Indian Ocean to the western Arabian Sea to feed on upwelling-associated plankton during July to October. Eight other species are positively identified, including the gingko-toothed beaked whale. Floating carcasses of dead cetaceans drift with the monsoon currents and so are found most commonly off the west coast during the southwest monsoon season, and off the east coast during the northeast monsoon season. Cetaceans are not hunted in the Maldives, but there is evidence that some cetaceans killed by the fishing activities of other countries drift into Maldivian waters.
Mikhalev,Y.A.
Sperm whales of the Arabian Sea Technical Report
no. 155, 1998.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, baleen whale, baleen whales, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, cetacean, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, IWC, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, Slava, Soviet whaling, sperm whale, sperm whales, whale, whales, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Sperm whales of the Arabian Sea},
author = {Mikhalev,Y.A.},
year = {1998},
date = {1998-01-01},
journal = {Report presented to the Scientific Committee of the Internaitonal Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/50/CAWS40},
number = {155},
pages = {1-7},
publisher = {Internaitonal Whaling Commission},
abstract = {This article is part of the ongoing publication of materials about true whale catches by Soviet whaling fleets (Yablokov, 1994, Tormosov, 1995; Zemsky, et al, 1995, 1995a, 1996; Mikhalev 1995, 1997, 1997a). The goal of this article is to provide real quantitative characteristics, as well as size and sexual composition, of the sperm whales taken by the fleets Slava and Sovietskaya Ukraina in the Arabian Sea during the period 1963 to 1967. While the catching of baleen whales - pygmy blue whales, Bryde's whales, and humpback whales - in the northwestern Indian Ocean (Mikhalev, 1995, 1997) was absolutely prohibited and thus was a most serious violation of IWC rules, the sperm whale catches in the region had a more masked character. Harvesting of this species was not restricted to areas south of the 40øS, but rather by date and animal size. The first information about sperm whales met in this region by Soviet whalers became known through Yukhov (1969) His article reported that the stock was mixed, including both barren and lactating females as well as young males. Such detailed information about the sperm whales' stock structure should have indicated that the author's primary material was not based on visual observation, but on the results of catches. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, cetacean research laboratories were liquidated and a portion of their primary materials disappeared. Other portions ended up distributed among various former Soviet republics, now independent states, and in private archives. Nonetheless, it was possible to recover with a high level of confidence data on the biological composition, especially the quantitative and size characteristics, of whales taken in the Arabian Sea.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, baleen whale, baleen whales, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, cetacean, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, IWC, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, Slava, Soviet whaling, sperm whale, sperm whales, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This article is part of the ongoing publication of materials about true whale catches by Soviet whaling fleets (Yablokov, 1994, Tormosov, 1995; Zemsky, et al, 1995, 1995a, 1996; Mikhalev 1995, 1997, 1997a). The goal of this article is to provide real quantitative characteristics, as well as size and sexual composition, of the sperm whales taken by the fleets Slava and Sovietskaya Ukraina in the Arabian Sea during the period 1963 to 1967. While the catching of baleen whales - pygmy blue whales, Bryde's whales, and humpback whales - in the northwestern Indian Ocean (Mikhalev, 1995, 1997) was absolutely prohibited and thus was a most serious violation of IWC rules, the sperm whale catches in the region had a more masked character. Harvesting of this species was not restricted to areas south of the 40øS, but rather by date and animal size. The first information about sperm whales met in this region by Soviet whalers became known through Yukhov (1969) His article reported that the stock was mixed, including both barren and lactating females as well as young males. Such detailed information about the sperm whales' stock structure should have indicated that the author's primary material was not based on visual observation, but on the results of catches. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, cetacean research laboratories were liquidated and a portion of their primary materials disappeared. Other portions ended up distributed among various former Soviet republics, now independent states, and in private archives. Nonetheless, it was possible to recover with a high level of confidence data on the biological composition, especially the quantitative and size characteristics, of whales taken in the Arabian Sea.
Mikhalev,Y.A.
Pygmy blue whales of the Northern-Western Indian Ocean Technical Report
no. 405, 1996.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Blue whale, blue whales, Distribution, embryo growth rate, Indian Ocean, length, maturity coming, Northern-Western Indian Ocean, population, pregnancy duration, productivity, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, whale, whales, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Pygmy blue whales of the Northern-Western Indian Ocean},
author = {Mikhalev,Y.A.},
year = {1996},
date = {1996-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the 48th meeting of the International Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/48/SH30},
number = {405},
pages = {1-30},
abstract = {The biological characteristic of pygmy blue whale population of the northern-western Indian Ocean according data of whaling results of Slava for seasons 1963/66 and Sovetskaya Ukraina for seasons 1964/67 is given. During period from the end of October to the second half of December pygmy blue whales form in this region four accumulations: Aden-Oman;Pakistan-India; Lacshadweep-Maldives and Equator-Seychelles. The life of the population is provided by high feed productivity of the region. 1294 whales with length from 12.5 m to 24.0 m were taken. The mean length of males was 19.3 m; females - 19.4 m. The males tend to become mature at length 19.0 m and width of testicles 18 - 20 kg; females - at length 21.0 m. The pregnant females form 41.3% from mature ones. The rate of embryo growth is satisfactory described by monoparabola L = 5.98(t - 20.5)1.90The mean new born whale length is 5.5 - 5.6 m. The peak of two seasons of mating are at May and November, the peaks of births - at April and October. The pregnancy is 10.5 - 11.0 months long. The re productivity of pygmy blue whales are low - one new born whales per 2.5 year.},
keywords = {Blue whale, blue whales, Distribution, embryo growth rate, Indian Ocean, length, maturity coming, Northern-Western Indian Ocean, population, pregnancy duration, productivity, pygmy blue whale, Pygmy blue whales, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The biological characteristic of pygmy blue whale population of the northern-western Indian Ocean according data of whaling results of Slava for seasons 1963/66 and Sovetskaya Ukraina for seasons 1964/67 is given. During period from the end of October to the second half of December pygmy blue whales form in this region four accumulations: Aden-Oman;Pakistan-India; Lacshadweep-Maldives and Equator-Seychelles. The life of the population is provided by high feed productivity of the region. 1294 whales with length from 12.5 m to 24.0 m were taken. The mean length of males was 19.3 m; females - 19.4 m. The males tend to become mature at length 19.0 m and width of testicles 18 - 20 kg; females - at length 21.0 m. The pregnant females form 41.3% from mature ones. The rate of embryo growth is satisfactory described by monoparabola L = 5.98(t - 20.5)1.90The mean new born whale length is 5.5 - 5.6 m. The peak of two seasons of mating are at May and November, the peaks of births - at April and October. The pregnancy is 10.5 - 11.0 months long. The re productivity of pygmy blue whales are low - one new born whales per 2.5 year.
Wray,P.,Martin,K.R.
Historical Whaling Records from the Western Indian Ocean Book
International Whaling Commission, 1980.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: 19th century, Arabian region, Blue whale, blue whales, historical whaling, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, Oman, sperm whales, whaling, Yankee whaling
@book{,
title = {Historical Whaling Records from the Western Indian Ocean},
author = {Wray,P.,Martin,K.R.},
year = {1980},
date = {1980-01-01},
journal = {Report to the International Whaling Commission, Special issue 5: Special Issue on Historical Whaling Records.},
number = {511},
pages = {213-241},
publisher = {International Whaling Commission},
abstract = {Preliminary data from 19th century whaling in the western Indian Ocean is presented, including summary of effort by whaling grounds and by species. Catch data from 27 voyages (1800-88) is summarised with comments on the possibility of overfishing of sperm and right whales in the region. Humpback whales were taken opportunistically in Madagascar and Mozambique but were not reported for the Northern Arabian Sea. Sperm whales were taken between September and January in the "Arabian Grounds" (including Arabian Sea coasts of Oman and Yemen). Blue whales were seen on the Arabian grounds from September through November. One blue whale was taken from the Kuria Muria Islands in Dec 1868.},
keywords = {19th century, Arabian region, Blue whale, blue whales, historical whaling, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, Oman, sperm whales, whaling, Yankee whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
Preliminary data from 19th century whaling in the western Indian Ocean is presented, including summary of effort by whaling grounds and by species. Catch data from 27 voyages (1800-88) is summarised with comments on the possibility of overfishing of sperm and right whales in the region. Humpback whales were taken opportunistically in Madagascar and Mozambique but were not reported for the Northern Arabian Sea. Sperm whales were taken between September and January in the "Arabian Grounds" (including Arabian Sea coasts of Oman and Yemen). Blue whales were seen on the Arabian grounds from September through November. One blue whale was taken from the Kuria Muria Islands in Dec 1868.
Yukhov,V.L.
Observations of cetaceans in the Gulf of Aden and the northwestern part of the Arabian Sea Technical Report
no. 512, 1969.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Oman, Soviet whaling, sperm whales, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Observations of cetaceans in the Gulf of Aden and the northwestern part of the Arabian Sea},
author = {Yukhov,V.L.},
year = {1969},
date = {1969-01-01},
journal = {Morskie Mlekopitayashchie},
number = {512},
pages = {1-6},
publisher = {Izd-vo "Nauka"},
abstract = {This is a brief report of sightings in the Arabian Sea made from a whale catcher of the Sovetskaya Ukraina fleet in the 1964-65 whaling seasons (Oct-Dec). In very general terms it describes sightings of female and juvenile sperm whales in groups of 6-10 throughout the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. This was the most frequently sighted species. Pygmy blue whales and Bryde's whales were also observed in both the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, and specific mention is made of nearshore areas of the coasts of Somalia and the Oman. These species were both observed feeding (on their sides?). Small groups of humpback whales were observed East of Ras Fartak. Huge schools of small cetaceans were also observed feeding and the author concludes that the area provides an adequate supply of food for a variety of species.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, Blue whale, blue whales, Bryde's whale, cetaceans, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Oman, Soviet whaling, sperm whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This is a brief report of sightings in the Arabian Sea made from a whale catcher of the Sovetskaya Ukraina fleet in the 1964-65 whaling seasons (Oct-Dec). In very general terms it describes sightings of female and juvenile sperm whales in groups of 6-10 throughout the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. This was the most frequently sighted species. Pygmy blue whales and Bryde's whales were also observed in both the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, and specific mention is made of nearshore areas of the coasts of Somalia and the Oman. These species were both observed feeding (on their sides?). Small groups of humpback whales were observed East of Ras Fartak. Huge schools of small cetaceans were also observed feeding and the author concludes that the area provides an adequate supply of food for a variety of species.