Abstract
A pilot study was undertaken from 13 November 2000 to 16 February 2001 to
investigate the distribution, behaviour, and individual identification of Bryde’s
whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Cetaceans
were observed from a commercial marine mammal tour vessel on 125 survey
trips over a 47-day sampling period. In addition, sightings of cetaceans were
recorded by the vessel’s crew from 7 October 2000 to 16 February 2001, during
167 trips over 118 days. On 144 trips where cetaceans were sighted, we
recorded six cetacean species. Bryde’s whales were encountered 29 times,
often seen feeding (90.9\% of encounters) singly or in small, loose aggregations.
Eighteen Bryde’s whales were individually identified from photographs of the
dorsal fin. Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were by far the most
common cetacean in terms of animal number and sighting frequency, with
91.7\% of all encounters including this species. Common dolphin schools of 150
animals were not uncommon, with larger congregations recorded on occasion.
Other species recorded include bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), longfinned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), killer whales (Orcinus orca) and
Arnoux’s beaked whales (Berardius arnouxii). We recorded 25 schools of
mixed species, predominantly Bryde’s whales and common dolphin
associations.
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