Authors:

Laura Torre-Williams
Emmanuelle Martinez

Abstract:

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), one abundant in New Zealand (NZ) waters, were targeted by the whaling industry. Most catch data available are from Tory Channel shore whaling station, Cook Strait, during the northern migration. In contrast, little is known from the shore whaling station at Whangaparapara, Great Barrier Island. This study examined historical whaling data from 1956 to 1962 at Whangaparapara. A total of 317 humpbacks were caught, comprising 64.7% males (n=205) and 35.3% females (n=112). Ten females (8.9%) were taken with near-term foetuses. The largest catches were recorded in 1959 (n=104, 32.8%) and 1960 (n=135, 42.6%). These represented the equivalent of 48.6% and 59.7%, respectively, of the catch taken at Tory Channel the same years. In 1959 all humpbacks taken on their southern migration, (n=33) had fresh decapods in their stomach, confirming that humpbacks migrating between breeding grounds E and feeding area V past NZ engage in opportunistic feeding. Humpbacks were hunted extensively in NZ until the population collapsed. This population is not yet considered recovered. This study provides further and new insights into historic use of NZ waters by humpback whales, which can inform the conservation and recovery of this remnant population.

Date : July 2021