Willson, A.,Leslie, M.,Baldwin, R.,Cerchio, S.,Childerhouse, S.,Collins, T.,Findlay, K.,Genov, T.,Godley, B. J.,Al Harthi, S.,Macdonald, D. W.,Minton, G.,Zerbini, A.,Witt, M.J.
In: Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, no. 504, pp. 15, 2018, ISSN: IWC/SC67B/CMP13Rev1.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: health, Humpback Whale, lesions, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, photo-identification, Satellite telemetry, song, tattoo, UAV
@article{,
title = {Update on satellite telemetry studies and first unoccupied aerial vehicle assisted health assessment studies of Arabian Sea humpback whales off the coast of Oman.},
author = {Willson, A.,Leslie, M.,Baldwin, R.,Cerchio, S.,Childerhouse, S.,Collins, T.,Findlay, K.,Genov, T.,Godley, B. J.,Al Harthi, S.,Macdonald, D. W.,Minton, G.,Zerbini, A.,Witt, M.J.},
url = {https://arabianseawhalenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sc_67b_cmp_13_rev1_oman-humbpack-whale-research-update-1.pdf},
issn = {IWC/SC67B/CMP13Rev1},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
urldate = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
number = {504},
pages = {15},
publisher = {International Whaling Commission},
abstract = {Four previously documented surveys focusing on satellite tagging Arabian Sea humpback whales (ASHW) have
taken place off the coast of Oman since 2014. We present information of the most recent multidisciplinary survey
from November 2017 including results of telemetry studies to investigate spatial ecology, photo-identification
work to support population estimates and the trial of new methods using Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) in
conducting non-invasive health assessments. The findings document the first record of the transoceanic passage
of an ASHW within the Arabian Sea and preliminary evidence of regional scale connectivity. Small vessel surveys
resulted in 45 hours of effort resulting in a total of 35 sightings and encounters with over 18 identified individual
ASHWs. Five tags were successfully deployed, three being attached to whales already identified in the ASHW
catalogue (one female and two males) and two whales new to the catalogue (of as yet unknown sex). The recent
telemetry work brings the project total to 14 deployed tags. Four whales from the recent tagged group occupied
regions previously described as important habitat in the South of Oman including the Gulf of Masirah and
Hallaniyats Bay. The tag with the longest tracking duration (n=120 days) documented the passage of an adult
female from the Gulf of Masirah across to the west coast of India, south towards to the Gulf of Manar off the
southern tip of India and the subsequent return of the whale to the tagging site. Additionally, a hexacopter UAV
(drone) was used to acquire digital images of 7 whales to inform investigations into body condition (length-width
relationship), tissue scaring and skin disease. UAVs that were flown through respired condensate (blow) resulted
in collection of three viable samples collected for micro-biome assessment of the respiratory tract. On a broad
geographic scale the tracking data continues to confirm the importance of waters over the continental shelf in
southern Oman for ASHW and together with passive acoustic monitoring studies provides new evidence to
support previous understanding on the connectivity between humpback whales of the Arabian Sea. The frequency
of sightings in the study area, and documented breeding related behaviour during the survey supports existing
evidence demonstrating that the Gulf of Masirah is a critical habitat for the ASHW. Effective conservation of this
population requires concerted application of threat mitigation, whilst studies continue to support the on-going
conservation management requirement to understand the broader spatial ecology of the population.},
keywords = {health, Humpback Whale, lesions, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, photo-identification, Satellite telemetry, song, tattoo, UAV},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Four previously documented surveys focusing on satellite tagging Arabian Sea humpback whales (ASHW) have
taken place off the coast of Oman since 2014. We present information of the most recent multidisciplinary survey
from November 2017 including results of telemetry studies to investigate spatial ecology, photo-identification
work to support population estimates and the trial of new methods using Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) in
conducting non-invasive health assessments. The findings document the first record of the transoceanic passage
of an ASHW within the Arabian Sea and preliminary evidence of regional scale connectivity. Small vessel surveys
resulted in 45 hours of effort resulting in a total of 35 sightings and encounters with over 18 identified individual
ASHWs. Five tags were successfully deployed, three being attached to whales already identified in the ASHW
catalogue (one female and two males) and two whales new to the catalogue (of as yet unknown sex). The recent
telemetry work brings the project total to 14 deployed tags. Four whales from the recent tagged group occupied
regions previously described as important habitat in the South of Oman including the Gulf of Masirah and
Hallaniyats Bay. The tag with the longest tracking duration (n=120 days) documented the passage of an adult
female from the Gulf of Masirah across to the west coast of India, south towards to the Gulf of Manar off the
southern tip of India and the subsequent return of the whale to the tagging site. Additionally, a hexacopter UAV
(drone) was used to acquire digital images of 7 whales to inform investigations into body condition (length-width
relationship), tissue scaring and skin disease. UAVs that were flown through respired condensate (blow) resulted
in collection of three viable samples collected for micro-biome assessment of the respiratory tract. On a broad
geographic scale the tracking data continues to confirm the importance of waters over the continental shelf in
southern Oman for ASHW and together with passive acoustic monitoring studies provides new evidence to
support previous understanding on the connectivity between humpback whales of the Arabian Sea. The frequency
of sightings in the study area, and documented breeding related behaviour during the survey supports existing
evidence demonstrating that the Gulf of Masirah is a critical habitat for the ASHW. Effective conservation of this
population requires concerted application of threat mitigation, whilst studies continue to support the on-going
conservation management requirement to understand the broader spatial ecology of the population.
taken place off the coast of Oman since 2014. We present information of the most recent multidisciplinary survey
from November 2017 including results of telemetry studies to investigate spatial ecology, photo-identification
work to support population estimates and the trial of new methods using Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) in
conducting non-invasive health assessments. The findings document the first record of the transoceanic passage
of an ASHW within the Arabian Sea and preliminary evidence of regional scale connectivity. Small vessel surveys
resulted in 45 hours of effort resulting in a total of 35 sightings and encounters with over 18 identified individual
ASHWs. Five tags were successfully deployed, three being attached to whales already identified in the ASHW
catalogue (one female and two males) and two whales new to the catalogue (of as yet unknown sex). The recent
telemetry work brings the project total to 14 deployed tags. Four whales from the recent tagged group occupied
regions previously described as important habitat in the South of Oman including the Gulf of Masirah and
Hallaniyats Bay. The tag with the longest tracking duration (n=120 days) documented the passage of an adult
female from the Gulf of Masirah across to the west coast of India, south towards to the Gulf of Manar off the
southern tip of India and the subsequent return of the whale to the tagging site. Additionally, a hexacopter UAV
(drone) was used to acquire digital images of 7 whales to inform investigations into body condition (length-width
relationship), tissue scaring and skin disease. UAVs that were flown through respired condensate (blow) resulted
in collection of three viable samples collected for micro-biome assessment of the respiratory tract. On a broad
geographic scale the tracking data continues to confirm the importance of waters over the continental shelf in
southern Oman for ASHW and together with passive acoustic monitoring studies provides new evidence to
support previous understanding on the connectivity between humpback whales of the Arabian Sea. The frequency
of sightings in the study area, and documented breeding related behaviour during the survey supports existing
evidence demonstrating that the Gulf of Masirah is a critical habitat for the ASHW. Effective conservation of this
population requires concerted application of threat mitigation, whilst studies continue to support the on-going
conservation management requirement to understand the broader spatial ecology of the population.
Robinson, David P.,Jaidah, Mohammed Y.,Bach, Steffen S.,Rohner, Christoph A.,Jabado, Rima W.,Ormond, Rupert,Pierce, Simon J.
Some like it hot: Repeat migration and residency of whale sharks within an extreme natural environment Journal Article
In: PLOS ONE, vol. 12, no. 446, pp. e0185360, 2017.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, habitat use, rhinccodon typus, Satellite telemetry, Sea of Oman, whale sharks
@article{,
title = {Some like it hot: Repeat migration and residency of whale sharks within an extreme natural environment},
author = {Robinson, David P.,Jaidah, Mohammed Y.,Bach, Steffen S.,Rohner, Christoph A.,Jabado, Rima W.,Ormond, Rupert,Pierce, Simon J.},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0185360},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {PLOS ONE},
volume = {12},
number = {446},
pages = {e0185360},
publisher = {Public Library of Science},
abstract = {The Arabian Gulf is the warmest sea in the world and is host to a globally significant population of the whale shark Rhincodon typus. To investigate regional whale shark behaviour and movements, 59 satellite-linked tags were deployed on whale sharks in the Al Shaheen area off Qatar from 2011–14. Four different models of tag were used throughout the study, each model able to collect differing data or quantities of data. Retention varied from one to 227 days. While all tagged sharks crossed international maritime boundaries, they typically stayed within the Arabian Gulf. Only nine sharks dispersed through the narrow Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman. Most sharks stayed close to known or suspected feeding aggregation sites over summer months, but dispersed throughout the Arabian Gulf in winter. Sharks rarely ventured into shallow areas (<40 m depth). A single, presumably pregnant female shark was the sole animal to disperse a long distance, crossing five international maritime boundaries in 37 days before the tag detached at a distance of approximately 2644 km from the tagging site, close to the Yemeni-Somali border. No clear space-use differentiation was evident between years, for sharks of different sizes, or between sexes. Whale sharks spent the most time (~66%) in temperatures of 24–30°C and in shallow waters <100 m depth (~60%). Sharks spent relatively more time in cooler (X2 = 121.692; p<0.05) and deeper (X2 = 46.402; p<0.05) water at night. Sharks rarely made dives deeper than 100 m, reflecting the bathymetric constraints of the Gulf environment. Kernel density analysis demonstrated that the tagging site at Al Shaheen was the regional hotspot for these sharks, and revealed a probable secondary aggregation site for whale sharks in nearby Saudi Arabian waters. Analysis of visual re-sightings data of tagged sharks revealed that 58% of tagged individuals were re-sighted back in Al Shaheen over the course of this study, with 40% recorded back at Al Shaheen in the year following their initial identification. Two sharks were confirmed to return to Al Shaheen in each of the five years of study.},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, habitat use, rhinccodon typus, Satellite telemetry, Sea of Oman, whale sharks},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Arabian Gulf is the warmest sea in the world and is host to a globally significant population of the whale shark Rhincodon typus. To investigate regional whale shark behaviour and movements, 59 satellite-linked tags were deployed on whale sharks in the Al Shaheen area off Qatar from 2011–14. Four different models of tag were used throughout the study, each model able to collect differing data or quantities of data. Retention varied from one to 227 days. While all tagged sharks crossed international maritime boundaries, they typically stayed within the Arabian Gulf. Only nine sharks dispersed through the narrow Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman. Most sharks stayed close to known or suspected feeding aggregation sites over summer months, but dispersed throughout the Arabian Gulf in winter. Sharks rarely ventured into shallow areas (<40 m depth). A single, presumably pregnant female shark was the sole animal to disperse a long distance, crossing five international maritime boundaries in 37 days before the tag detached at a distance of approximately 2644 km from the tagging site, close to the Yemeni-Somali border. No clear space-use differentiation was evident between years, for sharks of different sizes, or between sexes. Whale sharks spent the most time (~66%) in temperatures of 24–30°C and in shallow waters <100 m depth (~60%). Sharks spent relatively more time in cooler (X2 = 121.692; p<0.05) and deeper (X2 = 46.402; p<0.05) water at night. Sharks rarely made dives deeper than 100 m, reflecting the bathymetric constraints of the Gulf environment. Kernel density analysis demonstrated that the tagging site at Al Shaheen was the regional hotspot for these sharks, and revealed a probable secondary aggregation site for whale sharks in nearby Saudi Arabian waters. Analysis of visual re-sightings data of tagged sharks revealed that 58% of tagged individuals were re-sighted back in Al Shaheen over the course of this study, with 40% recorded back at Al Shaheen in the year following their initial identification. Two sharks were confirmed to return to Al Shaheen in each of the five years of study.
Willson, A.,Baldwin, R.,Collins, T.,Godley, B.J.,Minton, G.,Al Harthi, S.,Pikesley, Stephen K,Witt, Matthew J
Preliminary ensemble ecological niche modelling of Arabian Sea humpback whale vessel sightings and satellite telemetry data Technical Report
no. 502, 2017, ISBN: SC/67A/CMP/15.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, ensemble niche modeling, habitat modelling, habitat preference, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Persian Gulf, Satellite telemetry
@techreport{,
title = {Preliminary ensemble ecological niche modelling of Arabian Sea humpback whale vessel sightings and satellite telemetry data},
author = {Willson, A.,Baldwin, R.,Collins, T.,Godley, B.J.,Minton, G.,Al Harthi, S.,Pikesley, Stephen K,Witt, Matthew J},
issn = { SC/67A/CMP/15},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
number = {502},
pages = {17},
abstract = {Ensemble ecological niche modelling (EENM) can provide insight into the relationship between marine mammals and
their environment and can predict distribution beyond the range of observed locations. The technique can be used to
identify sites for future field research and guide conservation and management activities. The spatial ecology of Arabian
Sea humpback whales (ASHWs) has been described off the coast of Oman, although a paucity of information exists
from which to describe their distribution across the rest of their potential range. Here we present an ensemble ecological
niche modelling framework to predict habitat suitability of ASHWs across the north Indian Ocean. Sightings data from
Oman-based small vessel surveys (2003-2014) and satellite telemetry records (2014-2016) were used along with
environmental co-variate data from a season between December and May. Net primary productivity featured as the only
co-variate with a strong influence on models for both datasets. Model test evaluation metrics scored >0.9, and mapped
outputs of likely distribution highlighted spatial similarity across multiple models. Telemetry data predicted suitable
habitat to be further offshore than the models derived from sightings data. All resulting distribution maps described
areas of high suitability (index value <0.75) along the southern and central coast of Oman and of the northern Arabian
Sea between the Gulf of Kutch and sub-marine canyon features off the Indus delta. There was good spatial concordance
between ensemble model predictions with actual locations of Soviet catches of humpback whales in the northern Indian
Ocean between 1964 and 1966. Both the telemetry and the sightings data were temporally sporadic in their coverage
(across months) and biologically biased (towards males) and as such results from our preliminary efforts should be
considered in light of these caveats. However, these preliminary results are valuable and indicate likely co-occurrence
with high density shipping traffic routes in the region and target additional areas for focussed field surveys. Results
from this study should be considered together with results of recent north Indian Ocean blue whale ENM studies to help
guide future research and conservation management objectives in the region.},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, ensemble niche modeling, habitat modelling, habitat preference, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Persian Gulf, Satellite telemetry},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Ensemble ecological niche modelling (EENM) can provide insight into the relationship between marine mammals and
their environment and can predict distribution beyond the range of observed locations. The technique can be used to
identify sites for future field research and guide conservation and management activities. The spatial ecology of Arabian
Sea humpback whales (ASHWs) has been described off the coast of Oman, although a paucity of information exists
from which to describe their distribution across the rest of their potential range. Here we present an ensemble ecological
niche modelling framework to predict habitat suitability of ASHWs across the north Indian Ocean. Sightings data from
Oman-based small vessel surveys (2003-2014) and satellite telemetry records (2014-2016) were used along with
environmental co-variate data from a season between December and May. Net primary productivity featured as the only
co-variate with a strong influence on models for both datasets. Model test evaluation metrics scored >0.9, and mapped
outputs of likely distribution highlighted spatial similarity across multiple models. Telemetry data predicted suitable
habitat to be further offshore than the models derived from sightings data. All resulting distribution maps described
areas of high suitability (index value <0.75) along the southern and central coast of Oman and of the northern Arabian
Sea between the Gulf of Kutch and sub-marine canyon features off the Indus delta. There was good spatial concordance
between ensemble model predictions with actual locations of Soviet catches of humpback whales in the northern Indian
Ocean between 1964 and 1966. Both the telemetry and the sightings data were temporally sporadic in their coverage
(across months) and biologically biased (towards males) and as such results from our preliminary efforts should be
considered in light of these caveats. However, these preliminary results are valuable and indicate likely co-occurrence
with high density shipping traffic routes in the region and target additional areas for focussed field surveys. Results
from this study should be considered together with results of recent north Indian Ocean blue whale ENM studies to help
guide future research and conservation management objectives in the region.
their environment and can predict distribution beyond the range of observed locations. The technique can be used to
identify sites for future field research and guide conservation and management activities. The spatial ecology of Arabian
Sea humpback whales (ASHWs) has been described off the coast of Oman, although a paucity of information exists
from which to describe their distribution across the rest of their potential range. Here we present an ensemble ecological
niche modelling framework to predict habitat suitability of ASHWs across the north Indian Ocean. Sightings data from
Oman-based small vessel surveys (2003-2014) and satellite telemetry records (2014-2016) were used along with
environmental co-variate data from a season between December and May. Net primary productivity featured as the only
co-variate with a strong influence on models for both datasets. Model test evaluation metrics scored >0.9, and mapped
outputs of likely distribution highlighted spatial similarity across multiple models. Telemetry data predicted suitable
habitat to be further offshore than the models derived from sightings data. All resulting distribution maps described
areas of high suitability (index value <0.75) along the southern and central coast of Oman and of the northern Arabian
Sea between the Gulf of Kutch and sub-marine canyon features off the Indus delta. There was good spatial concordance
between ensemble model predictions with actual locations of Soviet catches of humpback whales in the northern Indian
Ocean between 1964 and 1966. Both the telemetry and the sightings data were temporally sporadic in their coverage
(across months) and biologically biased (towards males) and as such results from our preliminary efforts should be
considered in light of these caveats. However, these preliminary results are valuable and indicate likely co-occurrence
with high density shipping traffic routes in the region and target additional areas for focussed field surveys. Results
from this study should be considered together with results of recent north Indian Ocean blue whale ENM studies to help
guide future research and conservation management objectives in the region.
Willson, A.,Baldwin, R.,Cerchio, S,Collins, T.,Findlay, K.,Gray, H.,Godley, B.J.,Al Harthi, S.,Kennedy, A.,Minton, G.,Sucunza, F.,Zerbini, A. N.,Witt, M.J.
Research update on satellite tagging studies of the Arabian Sea humpback whales in the Sultanate of Oman Technical Report
no. 500, 2016.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Distribution, feeding, humpback whales, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, photo identification, Satellite telemetry, seasonal change
@techreport{,
title = {Research update on satellite tagging studies of the Arabian Sea humpback whales in the Sultanate of Oman},
author = {Willson, A.,Baldwin, R.,Cerchio, S,Collins, T.,Findlay, K.,Gray, H.,Godley, B.J.,Al Harthi, S.,Kennedy, A.,Minton, G.,Sucunza, F.,Zerbini, A. N.,Witt, M.J.},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Report presented to the Scientific Committee meeting of the International Whaling Commission},
number = {500},
pages = {23},
publisher = {IWC},
abstract = {Three surveys focusing on Arabian Sea humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were conducted from
two field sites off the southern coast of Oman between February 2014 and December 2015. We present a
summary of boat-based survey data and satellite telemetry activities generated by these surveys. Our
findings provide insight into the spatial ecology of Arabian Sea humpback whales (ASHW) and salient
threats to the population. Ninety hours of on-effort vessel-based surveys resulted in 29 sightings of ASHW
groups. Analysis of fluke and dorsal fin images indicates that these sightings involved 40 different
individuals. Tagging efforts resulted in successful deployment of nine satellite tags, six of which provided
data on dive behaviour and vertical distribution within the water column. Tagged whales that were
resighted (n = 5) during subsequent surveys exhibited signs of healing following tag rejection. Satellite
tracking data reveals whales ranging within a 1,150 km corridor along the southern coast of Oman and
northern Yemen, the first transboundary movement recorded for this population. Individuals spent an
average of 83% (SD = 17%) of their time engaged in localised or ‘area restricted search’ (ARS) that is
likely associated with foraging, breeding and resting behaviour. Tracked individuals spent much of their
time over the continental shelf with 73% of satellite-derived locations attributed to waters <200 m depth.
Gathered dive data reveal that tracked whales spent 83% of time in the top 20 m of the water column, most
frequently (39%; SD = 11%) engaged in dives with durations between 5 and 10 minutes. The average
maximum depth recorded by the tags was 199 m (SD = 95 m). Further spatial analysis indicated that 35%
of location points in the study were within the Gulf of Masirah, habitat that co-occurs with emerging
industrial activity and existing artisanal fisheries. Dive behavior in offshore waters beyond the continental
shelf also likely indicates foraging activity. The growing knowledge base for this population supports need
for on-going research and putative mitigation measures to address a wide spectrum of anthropogenic threats
for humpback whales in Oman and the wider region.},
keywords = {Distribution, feeding, humpback whales, megaptera novaeangliae, Oman, photo identification, Satellite telemetry, seasonal change},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Three surveys focusing on Arabian Sea humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were conducted from
two field sites off the southern coast of Oman between February 2014 and December 2015. We present a
summary of boat-based survey data and satellite telemetry activities generated by these surveys. Our
findings provide insight into the spatial ecology of Arabian Sea humpback whales (ASHW) and salient
threats to the population. Ninety hours of on-effort vessel-based surveys resulted in 29 sightings of ASHW
groups. Analysis of fluke and dorsal fin images indicates that these sightings involved 40 different
individuals. Tagging efforts resulted in successful deployment of nine satellite tags, six of which provided
data on dive behaviour and vertical distribution within the water column. Tagged whales that were
resighted (n = 5) during subsequent surveys exhibited signs of healing following tag rejection. Satellite
tracking data reveals whales ranging within a 1,150 km corridor along the southern coast of Oman and
northern Yemen, the first transboundary movement recorded for this population. Individuals spent an
average of 83% (SD = 17%) of their time engaged in localised or ‘area restricted search’ (ARS) that is
likely associated with foraging, breeding and resting behaviour. Tracked individuals spent much of their
time over the continental shelf with 73% of satellite-derived locations attributed to waters <200 m depth.
Gathered dive data reveal that tracked whales spent 83% of time in the top 20 m of the water column, most
frequently (39%; SD = 11%) engaged in dives with durations between 5 and 10 minutes. The average
maximum depth recorded by the tags was 199 m (SD = 95 m). Further spatial analysis indicated that 35%
of location points in the study were within the Gulf of Masirah, habitat that co-occurs with emerging
industrial activity and existing artisanal fisheries. Dive behavior in offshore waters beyond the continental
shelf also likely indicates foraging activity. The growing knowledge base for this population supports need
for on-going research and putative mitigation measures to address a wide spectrum of anthropogenic threats
for humpback whales in Oman and the wider region.
two field sites off the southern coast of Oman between February 2014 and December 2015. We present a
summary of boat-based survey data and satellite telemetry activities generated by these surveys. Our
findings provide insight into the spatial ecology of Arabian Sea humpback whales (ASHW) and salient
threats to the population. Ninety hours of on-effort vessel-based surveys resulted in 29 sightings of ASHW
groups. Analysis of fluke and dorsal fin images indicates that these sightings involved 40 different
individuals. Tagging efforts resulted in successful deployment of nine satellite tags, six of which provided
data on dive behaviour and vertical distribution within the water column. Tagged whales that were
resighted (n = 5) during subsequent surveys exhibited signs of healing following tag rejection. Satellite
tracking data reveals whales ranging within a 1,150 km corridor along the southern coast of Oman and
northern Yemen, the first transboundary movement recorded for this population. Individuals spent an
average of 83% (SD = 17%) of their time engaged in localised or ‘area restricted search’ (ARS) that is
likely associated with foraging, breeding and resting behaviour. Tracked individuals spent much of their
time over the continental shelf with 73% of satellite-derived locations attributed to waters <200 m depth.
Gathered dive data reveal that tracked whales spent 83% of time in the top 20 m of the water column, most
frequently (39%; SD = 11%) engaged in dives with durations between 5 and 10 minutes. The average
maximum depth recorded by the tags was 199 m (SD = 95 m). Further spatial analysis indicated that 35%
of location points in the study were within the Gulf of Masirah, habitat that co-occurs with emerging
industrial activity and existing artisanal fisheries. Dive behavior in offshore waters beyond the continental
shelf also likely indicates foraging activity. The growing knowledge base for this population supports need
for on-going research and putative mitigation measures to address a wide spectrum of anthropogenic threats
for humpback whales in Oman and the wider region.
Willson, A.,Baldwin, R.,Cerchio, S,Collins,T.,Findlay, K.,Gray, H.,Godley, B.J.,Al Harthi, S.,Kennedy, A.,Minton, G.,Zerbini, A.N.,Witt, M.J.
Research update of satellite tracking studies of male Arabian Sea humpback whales; Oman Technical Report
no. 501, 2015, ISBN: SC/66a/SH/22 Rev 1.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, mitigation, Oman, photo identification, Satellite telemetry, Threats
@techreport{,
title = {Research update of satellite tracking studies of male Arabian Sea humpback whales; Oman},
author = {Willson, A.,Baldwin, R.,Cerchio, S,Collins,T.,Findlay, K.,Gray, H.,Godley, B.J.,Al Harthi, S.,Kennedy, A.,Minton, G.,Zerbini, A.N.,Witt, M.J.},
issn = {SC/66a/SH/22 Rev 1},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
number = {501},
pages = {12},
abstract = {Satellite tags were deployed on three adult male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) encountered off the southern coast of Oman during March 2015. This represents the second year of a telemetry study that began with the tagging of three whales in 2014 and forms part of a broader scientific research programme initiated in 2000 to understand the population biology and spatial ecology of Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whales. Tags were deployed in an area commonly associated with the seasonal presence of singing whales. Resightings of whales tagged in 2014 (n=3), supported by photographic evidence of two animals, showed normal healing of epidermal tissue around the tag site over a period of 9 to 11 months. A repeat tagging of one known individual (tagged in 2014) as well as two other known individuals in the Oman photo-ID database provides further evidence for high site fidelity of males to the tagging site as well as the Gulf of Masirah. Habitat utilization inferred from telemetry and vessel survey data have confirmed the urgent need for mitigation measures in high-risk areas and have led to an improved understanding of humpback whale spatial ecology across the wider region.},
keywords = {Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, mitigation, Oman, photo identification, Satellite telemetry, Threats},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Satellite tags were deployed on three adult male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) encountered off the southern coast of Oman during March 2015. This represents the second year of a telemetry study that began with the tagging of three whales in 2014 and forms part of a broader scientific research programme initiated in 2000 to understand the population biology and spatial ecology of Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whales. Tags were deployed in an area commonly associated with the seasonal presence of singing whales. Resightings of whales tagged in 2014 (n=3), supported by photographic evidence of two animals, showed normal healing of epidermal tissue around the tag site over a period of 9 to 11 months. A repeat tagging of one known individual (tagged in 2014) as well as two other known individuals in the Oman photo-ID database provides further evidence for high site fidelity of males to the tagging site as well as the Gulf of Masirah. Habitat utilization inferred from telemetry and vessel survey data have confirmed the urgent need for mitigation measures in high-risk areas and have led to an improved understanding of humpback whale spatial ecology across the wider region.
Rees, A. F.,Al Saady, S.,Broderick, A. C.,Coyne, M. S.,Papathanasopoulou, N.,Godley, B. J.
Behavioural polymorphism in one of the world’s largest populations of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta Journal Article
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 418, no. 442, pp. 201-212, 2010.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: caretta caretta, Gulf of Masirah, Loggerhead, marine turtle, Oman, Satellite telemetry, turtles
@article{,
title = {Behavioural polymorphism in one of the world’s largest populations of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta},
author = {Rees, A. F.,Al Saady, S.,Broderick, A. C.,Coyne, M. S.,Papathanasopoulou, N.,Godley, B. J.},
url = {http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v418/p201-212/},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series},
volume = {418},
number = {442},
pages = {201-212},
abstract = {ABSTRACT: To aid management and conservation of widely distributed marine vertebrate species, it is necessary to have a knowledge and understanding of their spatial ecology. We tracked 10 adult female loggerhead turtles \textit{Caretta caretta} from Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman, which hosts one of the world’s largest breeding aggregations. Transmitters were specifically deployed early in the nesting season to enable tracking throughout the internesting and post-nesting habitats. Turtles displayed a dichotomy in behaviour during the internesting period, with 6 remaining close to Masirah Island and the others undertaking circuitous oceanic loops, hundreds of kilometres in length. This behaviour did not appear to be related to body size. Tracking-derived minimum clutch frequency was on average (± SD) 4.8 ± 1.2 nests (n = 8 ind.). Post-nesting migrations revealed a propensity towards long-term utilisation of oceanic habitats in the region between Socotra Island (Yemen) and the mainland of Yemen/Oman, with 76 ± 15.4% of time spent in oceanic habitat (n = 8 ind.). The spatial footprint of our tracked turtles was found to be far less than that of a similar number of turtles that were tagged later in the same season (from a separate unpublished study) and from long-distance returns of flipper tags. The spatial and temporal sub-structuring of the population highlights the need for more comprehensive tracking projects, with deployments across the breeding season in multiple years, in order to obtain reliable estimations of high-use foraging habitats of widely dispersed marine vertebrates. Variation in behaviour patterns suggests the need for diverse conservation measures.},
keywords = {caretta caretta, Gulf of Masirah, Loggerhead, marine turtle, Oman, Satellite telemetry, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
ABSTRACT: To aid management and conservation of widely distributed marine vertebrate species, it is necessary to have a knowledge and understanding of their spatial ecology. We tracked 10 adult female loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta from Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman, which hosts one of the world’s largest breeding aggregations. Transmitters were specifically deployed early in the nesting season to enable tracking throughout the internesting and post-nesting habitats. Turtles displayed a dichotomy in behaviour during the internesting period, with 6 remaining close to Masirah Island and the others undertaking circuitous oceanic loops, hundreds of kilometres in length. This behaviour did not appear to be related to body size. Tracking-derived minimum clutch frequency was on average (± SD) 4.8 ± 1.2 nests (n = 8 ind.). Post-nesting migrations revealed a propensity towards long-term utilisation of oceanic habitats in the region between Socotra Island (Yemen) and the mainland of Yemen/Oman, with 76 ± 15.4% of time spent in oceanic habitat (n = 8 ind.). The spatial footprint of our tracked turtles was found to be far less than that of a similar number of turtles that were tagged later in the same season (from a separate unpublished study) and from long-distance returns of flipper tags. The spatial and temporal sub-structuring of the population highlights the need for more comprehensive tracking projects, with deployments across the breeding season in multiple years, in order to obtain reliable estimations of high-use foraging habitats of widely dispersed marine vertebrates. Variation in behaviour patterns suggests the need for diverse conservation measures.