Samoa Whales

Slowdown of whale movement in Samoa

June WardA newly born mogger off Upolu, Samoa, is a promising indication of the gradual recuperation of this populace after the disappearance of commercially exploited wildlife. Scott Baker, deputy principal of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, is writing from Samoa, where he investigates the creation of dolphin populations and their mutual segregation.

It was the last date of our polls in Samoa. We' ve finished circumnavigating the isles of Upolu and Savai'i, which cover more than 600 sea-mile, and have seen short-finned bottom whales, spotted whales, spotted whales, rough-toothed whales, porpoises and porpoises. During the last few weeks the heavy trades wind has reminded us that it is in Samoa in cold weather and so is the hiking of mumpback whales every year.

Though it is still early in the incubation period, mumpback whales are our most frequent sightings on the southern shore of Upolu. Samoan islets are part of an extensive whale nesting area in the Southern Pacific, which includes New Caledonia, Tonga, the Cook and SOC.

During the southern part of the Antarctic Ocean during the southern part of the summers, these whales nourish themselves near Antarctica and travel several thousand kilometres into the tropical hot water to breed and give birth. 3. The members of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium have used a large catalogue of unique ID photos and bio-sample dolphin genetic data (the same method we used to examine dolphins) to estimate that the population is recovering and now comprises approximately 4,000 animals.

The whales after our work with the sharks need a change in time and rapprochement. Instead of the dolphin that were riding our arch, we now try to move behind the wale as it appears to take pictures of the nature marks on the bottom of the leech.

As soon as the cetacean appears, it can take six to nine mins. During this period, the stunt is to hold the cetacean' s stance in the hope that the cetacean will appear in the vicinity. In one of our meetings the pelagic is rolling up to the water and shows a very pure colour on the underneath.

It is a typical feature of South Pacific mumpback whales, while those in the North Pacific are often completely overcast. uney will include these photos in her catalogue for samoa. June WardA hunchback before Upolu, Samoa, shows leopard on the bottom of the caudal fin. She has already set off for Hawaii, where she is assisting in a long-term survey of rough-toothed cetaceans.

We will work on a brief review for their service and an essay for The Samoa Observer, the regional newpaper. Together with my fellow members of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme office, Mr President, Commissioner, Nevé and I will be visiting a website for the submission of recordings of whales and whales that have been caged.

Tonight at supper we will be discussing our plan to review the Samoa survey next year during the southern summers, look for seasonsal variations in the distribution of fish populations and concentrate on the off-shore fish in quieter environments. In spite of the importance of Oceania and the extensive jurisprudence of the Pacific Island countries, it is hard to find funding to study whale and dolphin populations in the area.

Luckily I received assistance for the latest polls from a Pew Marine Conservation Fellowship and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a long-time contributor to the research of our South Pacific Whale Research Consortium. Shipowner Greg Hopping gave us a low price reduction on the yacht because of his own interest in whales and sharks.