@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}

}

@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}

}

@article{,

title = {A note on sightings of sperm whales off the coasts of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, October 1994 to October 1997},

author = {Baldwin, Robert.},

year  = {1998},

date = {1998-01-01},

journal = {International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee Document SC/50/CAWS22.  Cambridge, UK.},

number = {301},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Oman, Persian Gulf, sperm whales, UAE},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Remarks on the distribution and migration of whales},

author = {Slijper,E.J.,Van Utrecht,W.L.,Naaktgeboren,C.},

year  = {1964},

date = {1964-01-01},

journal = {Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde},

volume = {34},

number = {475},

pages = {4-86},

abstract = {The authors gained the cooperation of the Netherlands Association of Ship Owners and the Royal Netherlands Navy in a project to collect all whale sightings from vessels sailing around the globe between 1954 and 1957. A total of 4500 reports of 11,000 animals were received, with the majority of observations coming from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Vessels were given identification guides and all reported observations were scored on the perceived reliability of the identification.  All Rorqual whales were grouped together, and a further distinction was made between humpback, sperm, right whales and "little piked whales" (minke whales).  Sightings were plotted in 10 degree squares according to number of whales observed per 1000 hours steamed in daylight.  Special attention is given to the observations of Captain W.F.J. Morzer Bruins, who the authors describe as a keen naturalist whose observations hold more credibility than those of others.  His observations in the Indian Ocean include a high number of sperm whales off the southern coast of Oman and the Gulf of Aden in January-March and April-June, a scattering of stranded blue and fin whales along the W coast of India, and only 2 stranded and 2 live humpback whales (strandings both in India, and live sightings near Yemen/Oman border? and off S tip of India (near Maldives?).  The larger number of compiled sightings from vessels are presented by species.  Rorqual sightings were plentiful in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea coasts of Oman and Pakistan, and in the Arabian Gulf (but not as plentiful as they were in the area between 30 and 40 degrees S.  The author concludes that the majority of the whales observed in the NIO do not belong to the Southern Hemisphere stock, but suggests that they migrate from the North Pacific through the Indonesian Archipelago and the Strait Malaya (despite very few observations here).  He briefly considers, but discards as unlikely, the hypothesis of a resident NIO stock.The total number of humpback whale sightings in the IO amounted to 500 (compared to 1618 rorqual sightings and 799 "whale" sightings).  The majority of animals were observed in coastal waters, and NIO sightings were generally concentrated in the months of Aug-Nov and Jan-April.  some of the highest recorded densities in the NIO are off of Pakistan  in the months of March, Aug, Oct, and December, but it is not clear how closely related this is to observer effort.  Observations are very few in May, June, July and September, and the authors do not link this to the monsoon -but rather conclude that the whales are not present at that time. Although few calves were observed in the NIO, those that were observed, were all observed in November, January or September (but no indication is given of calf size). The authors conclude that this is evidence that the observed whales do not belong to the S. Hem stock, but are more likely from the N.Pacific, despite the fact that there are "no sightings of humpbacks in the south China Sea or the Indonesian Archipelago that could support this assumption".  Sperm whales were observed with regularity throughout the year in the NIO, but in lower densities than Rorquals.  A low number of sightings in the NIO during summer months again leads the author to conclude that the animals either migrate South or to the N. Pacific.  This species, according to the authors is always associated with areas of high productivity.Minke whales were recorded in low densities in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Pakistan, but not in the central or Northern coasts of Oman.},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Atlantic, density, Distribution, fin whale, Gulf of Aden, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, India, Indian Ocean, Maldives, migration, minke whale, minke whales, North Pacific, Oman, Pakistan, productivity, right whale, right whales, Southern Hemisphere, sperm whale, sperm whales, Strandings, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Whales observed in the Indian Ocean: notes on their distribution},

author = {Brown,S.G.},

year  = {1957},

date = {1957-01-01},

journal = {The Marine Observer},

volume = {27},

number = {339},

pages = {157-165},

abstract = {The paper provides a summary of the results of a questionnaire put to merchant ships and other vessels, 80 of which provided their track data.  These vessels apparently had someone on watch during all daylight hours and reported all their cetacean sightings.  The authors feel confident that while some sightings could not be identified to species level, a distinction could be drawn between sperm, humpback and "rorqual" whales.  The "search effort" and sightings of the ships are plotted in the paper, with the majority of search effort and a high concentration of sightings occurring in the Gulf of Aden and S coast of Oman.  Only two humpback whale sightings are recorded for the Northern Arabian sea - one near the horn of Africa/Somalia, and one near Sharbitat/Likbe.  An additional string 4 of humpback whale sightings are recorded off the SW coast of India in the region of the Laccadive Islands.The author himself concludes: "There is apparently no great difference in the overall density of the large whale populations per unit area north and south of the equator. The highest concentrations of whales in the Indian Ocean occur in the Gulf of Aden and its approaches, the Arabian Sea and in the zone between South Africa and Australia. The least concentration is found in the Central Indian Ocean.  In summer the concentration of baleen whales in the Antarctic is very many times greater than in the Indian Ocean but there is much less difference in winter . The number of sperm whales in the ocean as a whole seems not to outnumber that of the different species of baleen whales combined. Humpback whales and rorquals are found unexpectedly far north, on the supposition that they all belong to the southern hemisphere populations. Rorquals have been observed right across the 30ø to 40ø S. zone between South Africa and Australia where ships might be expected to intercept them occasionally during their migrations."},

keywords = {Antarctic, Arabian Sea, Australia, baleen whales, Central Indian Ocean, cetacean, density, Distribution, Gulf of Aden, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, India, Indian Ocean, Oman, population, South Africa, Southern Hemisphere, sperm whale, sperm whales, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}