Le sujet de thèse porte sur l'étude des baleines à bosse, espèce migratrice. L'objectif est, à partir del'étude de leurs déplacements, de mieux comprendre leur distribution, leurs comportements, leurstratégie d'alimentation et de reproduction. Ce travail s'appuie sur plusieurs missions dédiées à lapose de balises satellitaires sur des individus évoluant dans les zones d'alimentation (Arctique) et leszones de reproduction (Caraïbes).La thèse est articulée autour de 4 articles. Le 1er intitulé "From whaling to tagging: the evolution ofknowledge regarding humpback whales in their North Atlantic breeding grounds" décrit l'historiquedes connaissances actuelles sur la population de baleine à bosse de l'Atlantique Nord, à partir desinformations consignées lors de la chasse industrielle à la baleine jusqu'aux observations les plusrécentes.Le 2e chapitre, intitulé "Local and migratory movements of humpback whales satellite tracked in theNorth Atlantic Ocean", détaille les routes migratoires sud-nord d'individus de RépubliqueDominicaine (Silver Bank) et de Guadeloupe (Antilles françaises). Dans un 1er temps, nous noussommes focalisées sur les déplacements dans la zone de reproduction. Les résultats ont montré unetrès grande mobilité, remettant en cause les hypothèses établies visant à décrire des individusrestant sur une zone donnée (pour les groupes actifs et/ou les chanteurs par exemple). Nous avonségalement montré des mouvements erratiques, sans pouvoir définir un modèle de prédiction detrajectoires à moyen terme (c'est-à-dire sur plusieurs jours). Dans un 2e temps, nous avons travaillésur les routes migratoires, qui restent encore actuellement un sujet de recherche majeur pour cetteespèce de mammifères qui détient le record avec plus de 6000km par trajet entre ses airesd'alimentation et de reproduction, avec 2 objectifs en particulier : d'une part, mieux appréhender lesmotivations des individus pour privilégier telle ou telle route migratoire, et d'autre part, savoir si lesroutes migratoires contribuent au mixage des différents stocks des baleines à bosse. Nos résultatsont montré clairement 2 routes privilégiées par les baleines à bosse de la Caraïbe : les individusprésents en République Dominicaine remontaient le continent américain, alors que ceux deGuadeloupe choisissaient une voie transatlantique, vers l'Islande et potentiellement la Norvège.Le 3e chapitre, basé sur l'article : "Individual variation in movements of humpback whales satellitetracked in the eastern Aleutian Island and Bering Sea", est dédié à l'étude des déplacements desbaleines à bosse pendant leur période d'alimentation près du Dutch Harbor en Alaska, de 2007 à2011. Nous avons montré les habitats des baleines à bosse dans cette région. Nous avons égalementprécisé les stratégies individualistes pour s'alimenter.Le dernier chapitre, basé sur le chapitre "Assessing implantable satellite tag extrusion using lightsensors", présente les difficultés actuelles de l'utilisation des balises Argos, pour l'étude des baleinesà bosse. Cela concerne principalement le système d'attache. L'objectif est d'avoir une idée sur lavitesse d'éjection et de voir s'il y a une corrélation entre la façon de poser la balise, son endroit sur labaleine et la durée totale de maintien sur l'individu.Pour conclure, ce travail a mis en évidence de nouvelles connaissances sur les stratégies individuellesdes baleines à bosse dans leurs aires d'alimentation, de reproduction mais aussi au cours des routesmigratoires. L'utilisation des balises satellitaires est une nouvelle alternative attractive pour l'étudede cette espèce hautement mobile. / This dissertation has been prepared in manuscript format and contains four individual papers. Each paper/chapter is formatted for the journal to which it has been, or will be, submitted. In the first manuscript, “From Whaling to Tagging: The evolution of knowledge regarding humpback whales in their North Atlantic breeding grounds”, I describe the evolution of humpback whale research from the days of Yankee whaling to the most recent satellite telemetry project in the West Indies breeding grounds. The humpback whales that over-winter in the West Indies are part of one of the most heavily studied whale populations in the world; projects conducted in this area have served as models for humpback whale research world-wide. This manuscript will be submitted for publication in Mammal Review in 2014. In my second manuscript, “Local and migratory movements of humpback whales satellite tracked in the North Atlantic Ocean”, I report the results of a satellite telemetry project that was conducted in the winters of 2008 through 2012 in the breeding areas of Silver Bank (Dominican Republic) and Guadeloupe (French West Indies). The results from this project add a level of detail to the current knowledge about North Atlantic humpback whale habitat use, migration, and population structure that could not be obtained without current satellite tagging technology. This paper has been reviewed and accepted for publication by the Canadian Journal of Zoology and will be published by November, 2013 ii In my third manuscript, “Individual variation in movements of humpback whales satellite tracked in the eastern Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea”, I report the results from a satellite telemetry project conducted off Dutch Harbor, (Alaska, USA) in the summers of 2007 through 2011. Satellite telemetry from this project showed the fine-scale use of foraging habitat in a North Pacific feeding ground. Additionally, a long-distance, within-season travel event was recorded in 2010, prompting speculation about the humpback population structure throughout the Bering Sea. This manuscript has been reviewed and accepted for publication by Endangered Species Research and will be published by November, 2013. In the fourth manuscript, “Assessing implantable satellite tag extrusion using light sensors”, I report the results of a novel approach for remotely quantifying tag rejection; the use of tag-mounted light sensors to indicate extrusion rate. The data for this paper were collected during a 2011 follow-up study aimed at assessing the behavioral and physiological responses of Gulf of Maine humpback whales to current tagging methods. Tag diagnostic technology like this, while still being developed, could significantly improve future telemetry work by updating tag design and placement methods to increase overall project efficiency. This paper has been accepted as a poster presentation at the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (December 2013, Dunedin New Zealand). It will be updated with the results from the 2013 Gulf of Maine tagging field season and submitted to a peer reviewed journal in 2014.

This thesis examines the human and animal dimensions of whale-watching and develops a framework for management of the humpback whale-watching industry in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The short-term responses of humpback whales to whale-watching vessels during their southward migration on the south coast of NSW were assessed. The behaviour of pods was recorded from commercial whale-watching vessels during tours and compared to pods in the absence of vessels observed from shore in the same area. Pod sizes and composition were typical of southward migrating whales. Calf pods were more sensitive to the presence of vessels than non-calf pods. Whilst there was a longer dive time and a greater percentage of time spent submerged by whales in the presence of vessels, there were no associated changes in respiration intervals. Some surface behaviours were suppressed in the presence of vessels. Surface-active behaviours were prevalent in this study which indicates that social interactions amongst conspecifics are common during the southern migration. Feeding pods were observed on 24.5% of all whale-watching trips and during 14% of all observations made from shore. South-eastern NSW is probably a significant supplemental feeding ground for migrating whales. Feeding behaviour did not alter in the presence of vessels but the time between feeding lunges increased when vessels were closer than 100 m and when more than one vessel was present. The demographics, expectations, experience and satisfaction of land-based and boat-based whale-watchers in NSW were assessed by a questionnaire to participants. Land-based whale-watchers had high and often unrealistic expectations about their whale-watching experience and were moderately satisfied. Boat-based whale-watchers had high, but often realistic expectations of their experience and were highly satisfied. Satisfaction was a function of the degree to which expectations were met, the proximity of whales, the numbers of whales, their behavioural displays and the level of information available on whales. Whale-watchers showed limited increase in their knowledge and conservation-oriented behaviours over the long term. Current education about whales requires better structure and clearer conservation objectives. This study identifies research, education and vessel management as three fundamental components for the sustainable management of the whale-watching industry, and makes recommendations incorporating these components.

The North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a wide-ranging baleen whale species with a complex life history and population structure. As seasonal migrants, humpback whales are known to inhabit cooler, high-latitude waters when foraging and low-latitudes for mating and calving. Beyond this general migratory pattern, a number of demographic characteristics including, abundance, distribution, seasonal occurrence, and prey preferences remain unknown or poorly described. A complete understanding of humpback whale ecology is therefore lacking. Many methods used to explore these aspects of cetacean ecology are either prohibitively expensive or limited in the scope of what can be learned from their use. Fortunately, in recent years, the analysis of stable isotope ratios of animal tissues has proved a valuable and relatively inexpensive technique for providing information on trophic position, diet, and feeding origins of migratory populations. This study employed techniques in stable isotope ecology to increase knowledge of the population structure, migration routes, and foraging ecology of North Pacific humpback whales. Skin samples were collected from free-ranging humpback whales throughout all known feeding and breeding grounds and were analyzed for stable carbon ([delta]13C) and nitrogen ([delta]15N) isotope ratios. The population structure of humpback whales was first explored through geographic differences in stable isotope ratios. Stable isotope ratios varied significantly with location of sample collection. Based on this analysis, foraging animals were separated into six feeding groups. Classification tree analysis was then used to determine which isotopic variables could be used to predict group membership. Probable migratory linkages were then described by applying results of classification trees to [delta]13C and [delta]15N of animals sampled on breeding grounds. Strong migratory connections between the eastern-most foraging and breeding areas and the western-most areas were reflected in similarities of stable isotope ratios. Foraging ecology was then examined through calculation and comparison of the relative trophic levels of the six feeding groups. Isotopic values suggest some feeding groups are piscivorous, while others feed on a more mixed diet. These results can be used to determine if differences in diet composition between groups result in differences in accrued nutritional benefits, negatively impacting reproductive success and survival relative to fish eating groups. Finally, to gain insight into specific foraging habits, the diet of one group of humpback whales was modeled using an isotope mixing model. The [delta]13C and [delta]15N of Kodiak Island, Alaska humpback whales and several species of potential prey indicate that these animals likely rely heavily on euphausiids (Thysanoessa spinifera), Pacific sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus), and capelin (Mallotus villosus). This study represents the first application of stable isotope ecology to an entire population of marine mammals. Stable isotope analysis was successfully applied to describe and improve understanding of the demographics of North Pacific humpback whales.

This dissertation has been prepared in manuscript format and contains four individual papers. Each paper/chapter is formatted for the journal to which it has been, or will be, submitted. In the first manuscript, "From Whaling to Tagging: The evolution of knowledge regarding humpback whales in their North Atlantic breeding grounds", I describe the evolution of humpback whale research from the days of Yankee whaling to the most recent satellite telemetry project in the West Indies breeding grounds. The humpback whales that over-winter in the West Indies are part of one of the most heavily studied whale populations in the world; projects conducted in this area have served as models for humpback whale research world-wide. This manuscript will be submitted for publication in Mammal Review in 2014. In my second manuscript, "Local and migratory movements of humpback whales satellite tracked in the North Atlantic Ocean", I report the results of a satellite telemetry project that was conducted in the winters of 2008 through 2012 in the breeding areas of Silver Bank (Dominican Republic) and Guadeloupe (French West Indies). The results from this project add a level of detail to the current knowledge about North Atlantic humpback whale habitat use, migration, and population structure that could not be obtained without current satellite tagging technology. This paper has been reviewed and accepted for publication by the Canadian Journal of Zoology and will be published by November, 2013 ii In my third manuscript, "Individual variation in movements of humpback whales satellite tracked in the eastern Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea", I report the results from a satellite telemetry project conducted off Dutch Harbor, (Alaska, USA) in the summers of 2007 through 2011. Satellite telemetry from this project showed the fine-scale use of foraging habitat in a North Pacific feeding ground. Additionally, a long-distance, within-season travel event was recorded in 2010, prompting speculation about the humpback population structure throughout the Bering Sea. This manuscript has been reviewed and accepted for publication by Endangered Species Research and will be published by November, 2013. In the fourth manuscript, "Assessing implantable satellite tag extrusion using light sensors", I report the results of a novel approach for remotely quantifying tag rejection; the use of tag-mounted light sensors to indicate extrusion rate. The data for this paper were collected during a 2011 follow-up study aimed at assessing the behavioral and physiological responses of Gulf of Maine humpback whales to current tagging methods. Tag diagnostic technology like this, while still being developed, could significantly improve future telemetry work by updating tag design and placement methods to increase overall project efficiency. This paper has been accepted as a poster presentation at the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (December 2013, Dunedin New Zealand). It will be updated with the results from the 2013 Gulf of Maine tagging field season and submitted to a peer reviewed journal in 2014.

Although major whaling practices have ceased, increasing human involvement and influence in the world’s marine ecosystems continue to adversely effect global whale populations. It is a major concern throughout Antarctic waters, where endangered Oceania Humpback Whales (Megaptera novarangliae) annually feed. This study analyzes the extent to which a proposed marine protected area within the Ross Sea may indirectly harm the last remaining endangered population of Humpbacks. Using current satellite tracks of southern Humpback migrations, this model maps the effects of displaced Toothfish fisheries, and suggests further conservations efforts, based on New Zealand’s Precautionary Approach, to protect these vulnerable whales.

South Pacific humpback whales were devastated by commercial whaling in their Antarctic feeding areas during the 20th century. Understanding migratory connections and current abundance of these isolated breeding stocks is crucial for the allocation of historical Antarctic catches in population dynamic models used to assess current recovery. However, only a small number of migratory connections have been documented between Oceania breeding stocks within the South Pacific and feeding areas in the Antarctic. In addition, little is known about abundance of these stocks which encompass a vast oceanic region. For this thesis I first used mixed-stock analysis (MSA) to allocate migratory connections from four Antarctic feeding areas (n=142) to seven South Pacific breeding stocks (n=1,373), including four in Oceania, based on genetic marker frequencies. The use of this method was justified by the breeding stocks showing genetic differentiation at the haplotype level with an F[subscript ST] value of 0.027 (p-value <0.001). The results showed a relatively strong connection of Western Australia to Antarctic Area IV, Tonga to the border of Antarctic Area VI/I, Colombia to the Antarctic Peninsula, and a split allocation of Eastern Australia and New Caledonia to Antarctic Area V. This study provides the first population-level information supporting previous individual-based studies that humpback whale migration may not necessarily be direct north south. Next, utilizing capture-recapture methodology of unique humpback whale fluke photographs, I estimated abundance of one of the least studied Oceania breeding stocks, French Polynesia, a stock which also showed no significant migratory allocation using MSA. Taking into consideration the possible advantages of using Quality Control (QC) photographs to minimize bias in matching, estimates were generated using the complete photo catalogue and also using only photographs adhering to QC criteria. I found that the choice of using QC has an effect on the abundance generated and discuss the implications of this finding. Despite the photo catalogue used, the French Polynesia stock is estimated to number less than 1,900 individuals. Lastly, to provide additional information on the French Polynesia stock I used photo-identification to compare French Polynesia whales to whales in the Antarctic Peninsula and Strait of Magellan (Antarctic Area I), a possible migratory connection suggested by previous microsatellite genotyping. No conclusive matches were found. Although this does not discount the possibility of a few migrants traveling between these regions it does indicate the Antarctic Peninsula and the Strait of Magellan are not primary feeding areas of French Polynesia. This new information regarding abundance and migration of French Polynesia whales is important for the Comprehensive Assessment of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales. This document is currently being completed as the International Whaling Commission considers the next critical steps in recovery for Oceania humpback whales stocks. / Graduation date: 2010

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T17:30:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-01T19:23:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-01T19:23:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-09 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O estabelecimento de um sistema representativo de Áreas Protegidas é parte das estratégias de conservação das baleias-jubarte (Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781). Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a representatividade das Áreas Prioritárias para a Conservação (APCs) e das Unidades de Conservação (UCs) considerando os movimentos desta espécie na costa brasileira. O uso destas Àreas por baleias-jubarte foi medido pela freqüência da ocorrência de posições registradas no interior das APCs e UCs. Dados de localização por telemetria satelital foram filtrados e modelados pelo Modelo de Estado e Espaço (State-Space Model) e sobrepostos aos polígonos representantes de cada APC e UC (banco de dados Ministério do Meio Ambiente - MMA e Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Renováveis – IBAMA). As análises foram realizadas com o software R 2.11.1 e ArcGIS 9.3. De um total de 131 APCs registradas na, atualmente, conhecida área de distribuição da espécie na costa brasileira 53 Áreas Prioritárias para a Conservação foram usadas por baleias-jubarte. As frequências foram maiores dentro do que fora de APCs (p<0,001). E de 73 UCs registradas dentro da mesma área, 13 Unidades de Conservação foram usadas pela espécie e as freqüências foram menores dentro do que fora de UCs (p <0,001). Concluímos que as novas APCs identificadas, Áreas ainda não protegidas, são representativas considerando o movimento das baleias-jubarte. Já as Unidades de Conservação considerando a reduzida freqüência de ocorrência de baleias nestas Áreas já manejadas apresentam baixa representatividade. Estudos de telemetria por satélite mostram-se úteis para avaliar a representatividade das Áreas Prioritárias e Protegidas na conservação indireta de baleias-jubarte, contribuindo para estratégias de gestão da espécie em águas brasileiras. / The establishment of representative systems of Protected Area is part of conservation strategies of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781) conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the Priority Areas for Conservation (PACs) and Conservation Units (CUs) by humpback whale along the Brazilian coast. The use was measured by the frequency of positions registered inside the PACs and CUs. Locations data from satellite telemetry were filtered and modeled by State Space Model and overlapped on the PACs and CUs shapes (Ministério do Meio Ambiente - MMA and Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Renováveis – IBAMA databases). The analyses were performed using the software R 2.11.1 and ArcGIS 9.3. From a total of 131 PACs, recorded in the currently known limit of distribution in the Brazilian coast, 53 Priority Areas for Conservation were used by humpback whales. The frequencies were higher inside the PACs than outside (p<0,001). And from 73 UCs recorded, 13 Conservation Units were used by humpback whales and the frequencies were lower inside the CU’s than outside (p<0,001). We concluded that the PACs identified, areas not yet protected, are representative considering the movement of humpback whales. However, CU’s are still poorly representative for humpback whales conservation considering the low frequency of occurrence of whales in these areas already managed. Satellite telemetry studies are useful to assess the representativeness of Priority and Protected Areas in the conservation of humpback whales indirectly, contributing to strategies for management of the species in Brazilian waters.