Habitat Utilization Patterns of Humpback Whales ('Megaptera novaeangliae') offthe Island of Hawaii

摘要

Little information exists on the habitat-use patterns of humpback whales based onsex, age, or reproductive class while on their winter breeding and calving grounds. The study (1) systematically quantifies baseline data on the temporal and spatial distribution and occurrence of humpbacks based on group size and composition off the island of Hawaii prior to nearshore development, and (2) attempts to test the hypotheses that (a) humpback cows with calves prefer nearshore shallow water, and (b) groups without a calf prefer offshore deep water. There is a need to systematically quantify observed trends in habitat preferences of humpback social groups, particularly before the introduction of human activities.