Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms
Abstract Fine‐scale knowledge of spatiotemporal dynamics in cetacean distribution and abundance throughout the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is sparse yet essential for effective ecosystem‐based management (EBM). Cruise vessels were used as platforms of opportunity to collect data on the distrib...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8571 |
| _version_ | 1818532803389685760 |
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| author | John Elling Deehr Johannessen Martin Biuw Ulf Lindstrøm Victoria Marja Sofia Ollus Lucía Martina Martín López Kalliopi C. Gkikopoulou Wessel Chris Oosthuizen Andrew Lowther |
| author_facet | John Elling Deehr Johannessen Martin Biuw Ulf Lindstrøm Victoria Marja Sofia Ollus Lucía Martina Martín López Kalliopi C. Gkikopoulou Wessel Chris Oosthuizen Andrew Lowther |
| author_sort | John Elling Deehr Johannessen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Fine‐scale knowledge of spatiotemporal dynamics in cetacean distribution and abundance throughout the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is sparse yet essential for effective ecosystem‐based management (EBM). Cruise vessels were used as platforms of opportunity to collect data on the distribution and abundance of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during the austral summer of 2019/2020 in a region that is also important for the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) fishery, to assess potential spatiotemporal interactions for future use in EBM. Data were analyzed using traditional design‐based line transect methodology and spatial density surface hurdle models fitted using a set of physical environmental covariates to estimate the abundance and distribution of whales in the area, and to describe their temporal dynamics. Our results indicate a rapid increase in humpback whale abundance in the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits through December, reaching a stable abundance by mid‐January. The distribution of humpback whales appeared to change from a patchier distribution in the northern Gerlache Strait to a significantly concentrated presence in the central Gerlache and southern Bransfield Straits, followed by a subsequent dispersion throughout the area. Abundance estimates agreed well with previous literature, increasing from approximately 7000 individuals in 2000 to a peak of 19,107 in 2020. Based on these estimates, we project a total krill consumption of between 1.4 and 3.7 million tons based on traditional and contemporary literature on per capita krill consumption of whales, respectively. When taken in the context of krill fishery catch data in the study area, we conclude that there is minimal spatiotemporal overlap between humpback whales and fishery activity during our study period of November–January. However, there is potential for significant interaction between the two later in the feeding season, but cetacean survey efforts need to be extended into late season in order to fully characterize this potential overlap. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:50:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aab326b86b0746a594232fd972103ce6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:50:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-aab326b86b0746a594232fd972103ce62022-12-22T00:56:14ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582022-02-01122n/an/a10.1002/ece3.8571Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platformsJohn Elling Deehr Johannessen0Martin Biuw1Ulf Lindstrøm2Victoria Marja Sofia Ollus3Lucía Martina Martín López4Kalliopi C. Gkikopoulou5Wessel Chris Oosthuizen6Andrew Lowther7Department of Arctic Biology The Arctic University of Tromsø Tromsø NorwayInstitute of Marine Research Tromsø NorwayDepartment of Arctic Biology The Arctic University of Tromsø Tromsø NorwayDepartment of Arctic Biology The Arctic University of Tromsø Tromsø NorwaySchool of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UKSea Mammal Research Unit School of Biology Scottish Ocean Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews UKUniversity of Cape Town Cape Town South AfricaNorwegian Polar Institute Tromsø NorwayAbstract Fine‐scale knowledge of spatiotemporal dynamics in cetacean distribution and abundance throughout the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is sparse yet essential for effective ecosystem‐based management (EBM). Cruise vessels were used as platforms of opportunity to collect data on the distribution and abundance of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during the austral summer of 2019/2020 in a region that is also important for the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) fishery, to assess potential spatiotemporal interactions for future use in EBM. Data were analyzed using traditional design‐based line transect methodology and spatial density surface hurdle models fitted using a set of physical environmental covariates to estimate the abundance and distribution of whales in the area, and to describe their temporal dynamics. Our results indicate a rapid increase in humpback whale abundance in the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits through December, reaching a stable abundance by mid‐January. The distribution of humpback whales appeared to change from a patchier distribution in the northern Gerlache Strait to a significantly concentrated presence in the central Gerlache and southern Bransfield Straits, followed by a subsequent dispersion throughout the area. Abundance estimates agreed well with previous literature, increasing from approximately 7000 individuals in 2000 to a peak of 19,107 in 2020. Based on these estimates, we project a total krill consumption of between 1.4 and 3.7 million tons based on traditional and contemporary literature on per capita krill consumption of whales, respectively. When taken in the context of krill fishery catch data in the study area, we conclude that there is minimal spatiotemporal overlap between humpback whales and fishery activity during our study period of November–January. However, there is potential for significant interaction between the two later in the feeding season, but cetacean survey efforts need to be extended into late season in order to fully characterize this potential overlap.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8571Antarctic Peninsuladensity surface modelingecosystem interactionshumpback whaleplatforms of opportunityspatiotemporal variation |
| spellingShingle | John Elling Deehr Johannessen Martin Biuw Ulf Lindstrøm Victoria Marja Sofia Ollus Lucía Martina Martín López Kalliopi C. Gkikopoulou Wessel Chris Oosthuizen Andrew Lowther Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms Ecology and Evolution Antarctic Peninsula density surface modeling ecosystem interactions humpback whale platforms of opportunity spatiotemporal variation |
| title | Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms |
| title_full | Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms |
| title_fullStr | Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms |
| title_short | Intra‐season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the West Antarctic Peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms |
| title_sort | intra season variations in distribution and abundance of humpback whales in the west antarctic peninsula using cruise vessels as opportunistic platforms |
| topic | Antarctic Peninsula density surface modeling ecosystem interactions humpback whale platforms of opportunity spatiotemporal variation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8571 |
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