Movements of humpback whales in Oceania, South Pacific

To investigate movements of humpback whales among breeding and migratory areas Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean, comparisons individually identified were undertaken using catalogues from New Caledonia, Tonga, Zealand, Cook Islands French Polynesia. These locations probably represent wintering grounds or for Group V VI stocks, as recognised by International Whaling Commission management purposes. Comparisons also made to small samples photos Colombia, Ecuador Antarctic Peninsula, representing feeding I stock. Overall, combined contained photographs 912 individual whales, 767 which Oceania. Twelve fluke matches made, indicating movement between following areas: Caledonia Zealand (2); Tonga (6, plus one dorsal fin); Polynesia (1, Peninsula (1). results add previously known connections eastern Australia westerly component (New Zealand). The data suggest little Area (western America Peninsula), although sample sizes latter region too conclude this with certainty. documented some portions indicates that stock assessments based on combining regional estimates abundance are likely be positively biased, may countered problems heterogeneity sampling effort whale distribution. In contrast recovery exhibited IV western portion V, appears remain low Oceania, presumably because overexploitation easterly V.