M E R S E A
Marine Education and Research of South East Alaska
Humpback's Orcas HOME 2000 Id's 2001 Id's
In the News
Jan 24, 2000: Winter in Alaska
brings a happy and exciting time for our whale watching friends in Hawaii, California and Mexico. It means it is mating and calving time for the great baleen whales of the Northern Hemisphere, the reason for the great migrations. Calving for the whales which were conceived last winter and breeding for the calves which will be born next January and February.Jan. 20, 2000: Keiko Update:
In Mid January 2000, divers finished stringing a net across the mouth of Klettsvik Bay, Iceland where Keiko's handlers hope to release the orca whale from its holding pen into the enclosed bay in February 2000. UPJan 14,2000: Whale Watching Tour Operator Permits may be required soon.
In a letter dated Dec 28, 1999 and filed to federal register Jan 4, 2000 by Penelope Dalton, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
NMFS Northeast Region is currently pursuing changing these guidelines into regulations. They are considering an Operator Permit or Certification Program - requiring all operators of whale watch vessels to obtain a Permit or Certification. Issuance of a permit at that time would be based on the operator demonstrating knowledge of whale behavior and proper whale watch vessel operation.
Feb 9, 2000: Humpback whale migration info:
Salden, D. R., Herman, L. M., Yamaguchi, M. and Sato. F. (1999).
Multiple visits of individual humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae) between the Hawaiian and Japanese winter grounds.
Canadian Journal f Zoology, 77, 504-508.
Abstract
We document through photographic identifications, three humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) winter ground exchanges between
Hawaii and Japan. Two of these whales, identified as males by their
behavioral roles, made multiple interchanges across years; i.e., they were initially seen in Hawaii, were later observed in Japan, and
subsequently returned to Hawaii. The third whale was seen in only
two different years, once in Japan and once in Hawaii. Prior to this report, there has been only one published report of a Hawaii-Japan
interchange and only eight between Hawaii and Mexico. None of these
involved multiple exchanges. The current findings demonstrate that individual whales may be highly flexible in their annual choice of
widely separated winter destinations and suggest that these wanderers
may be mainly males. The occurrence of wanderers provides a mechanism for increasing genetic variability in the breeding
populations and also suggests a mechanism for noted song similarities across different North Pacific winter grounds.
February 14, 2000
{Resident Orca Whales. In late January 2000, observers at Monterey Bay,
CA, discovered pods of Puget Sound resident orca whales in Monterey Bay, far from where they had ever been previously reported. Researchers
questioned whether lack of adequate food in Puget Sound had caused the whales to travel far from their normal waters.} [Scripps McClatchy Western
Service]
Northern Right Whale Mortality? On Jan. 19, 2000, a fisherman spotted a dead 3-year-old female northern right whale about 10 miles southeast of
Block Island, off RI. Only about 300 animals remain in the endangered
northern right whale population. [Assoc Press, Boston Herald]
February 25, 2000
{{Keiko. On Feb. 23, 2000, Ocean Futures announced a postponement, at least
until early March 2000, of the planned release of the orca whale Keiko from
his seapen into the net-enclosed Klettsvik Bay, Iceland, due to tidal surges
and wind loosening anchoring bolts of the barrier net.}} [Portland
Oregonian]
November 10,2000
Now that the summer season has come to an end here in Alaska, we can settle down a bit and try to update this page as quickly as we can assimilate the information gathered this summer.
Nov 19,2000 - How long do they live?
Science News, Oct 14, 2000, volume 158, No.16
Tissue sampling of several large male bowhead whales has proven surprising facts about the longevity of these whales. One was 90 years old, four were between 135 and 180years old, and one was over 200. More research is being conducted to verify the life expectancy of these animals and similar studies are planned to determine if other great whales can expect similar life spans.
The News page is updated as time and events allow. Check in regularly as more news will be coming soon.
MERSEA is a non-profit organization. It is currently supported solely by membership dues, donations and its adopt-a-whale program. If you would like to help make a difference click the link for more information about joining MERSEA, adopting a whale or making a donation. Thank you!
For Information about Humpback Whales, Orca or to check the News Letter click the appropriate link
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