Rediscovery of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding ground in the Straits of Magellan, Chile

Abstract

New information is presented on the summer distribution of southeastern Pacific humpback whales along the Southern Chilean fjords. Sightings of 128 humpback whales observed between December and June from 1997-2001 were analysed. Sightings occurred between 48°50AS to 54°18AS and were concentrated in the waters surrounding Isla Carlos III in the Straits of Magellen (53°37AS, 72°21AW) and in the Canal Wide (49°36AS–5°S). To date, 23 individual whales have been identified from photographs of the ventral surface of the flukes. Throughout the austral summer, seven individuals were resighted near Isla Carlos III over periods between 2-5 months. Two individuals were observed in 1999 and 2000, and two individuals were previously recorded in 1997 in Canal Wide, about 365km north of Isla Carlos III. Historical records show the occurrence of whales in the area from the 16th to the 20th Century. From historic records, scattered whaling data, the small amount of scientific literature available, and the results of this study, it is suggested that the southwestern part of the Straits of Magellan, especially the waters surrounding Isla Carlos III, is the first known feeding ground for humpback whales along the Pacific coast of South America.