Humpback Whale 231728 225032817 2008-07-11T15:43:38Z NawlinWiki 301395 Changed protection level for "[[Humpback Whale]]": no reason to move this page w/o discussion [edit=autoconfirmed:move=sysop] <!--- Scroll down below table text to edit this article --> {{pp-semi-protected|small=yes}} {{Taxobox | name = Humpback whale | status = VU<!--Please do not change this to "EN"; the species is internationally Vulnerable, although Endangered in some regions --> | trend = up | status_system = iucn2.3 | status_ref =<ref name="iucn">{{IUCN2006|assessors=Cetacean Specialist Group|year=1996|id=13006|title=Megaptera novaeangliae|downloaded=[[11 May]] [[2006]]}} Database entry includes a lengthy justification of why this species is vulnerable </ref> | image = Humpback_Whale_underwater_shot.jpg | image_width = 250px | image2 = Humpback_whale_size.svg | image2_width = 250px | image2_caption = Size comparison against an average human | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | subclassis = [[Eutheria]] | ordo = [[Cetacea]] | subordo = [[Mysticeti]] | familia = [[Balaenopteridae]] | genus = '''''Megaptera''''' | genus_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1846 | species = '''''M. novaeangliae''''' | binomial = ''Megaptera novaeangliae'' | binomial_authority = [[Georg Borowski|Borowski]], 1781 | range_map = Cetacea range map Humpback Whale.png | range_map_width = 250px | range_map_caption = Humpback whale range }} The '''humpback whale''' (''Megaptera novaeangliae'') is a [[Baleen whale|Baleen]] [[whale]]. One of the larger [[rorqual]] species, adults range in length from 12&ndash;16&nbsp;metres (40&ndash;50&nbsp;ft) and weigh approximately 36,000&nbsp;kilograms (79,000&nbsp;[[Pound (mass)|lb]]). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often [[Whale surfacing behaviour|breaching]] and slapping the water. Males produce a complex [[whale song]], which lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. The purpose of the song is not yet clear, although it appears to have a role in mating. Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in [[Polar region|polar]] waters, and migrate to [[tropics|tropical]] or [[sub-tropical]] waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, humpbacks [[Fasting|fast]] and live off their [[Blubber|fat]] reserves. The species' diet consists mostly of [[krill]] and small [[fish]]. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the spectacular bubble net feeding technique. Like other large whales, the humpback was and is a target for the [[whaling]] industry. Due to over-hunting, its population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966. Stocks of the species have since partially recovered; however, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution also remain concerns. There are at least 80,000 humpback whales worldwide. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpbacks are now sought out by [[whale watching|whale-watchers]], particularly off parts of [[Australia]] and the [[United States]]. ==Taxonomy== <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:humpback dorsal fin.JPG|thumb|left|200px|A diving humpback displays its namesake hump.]] --> {{userboxtop|toptext=&nbsp;}} {{clade| style=font-size:75%;line-height:75% |1={{clade |1={{clade |1=''B. bonaerensis'' ([[southern Minke whale]]) |2=''B. acutorostra'' ([[northern Minke whale]]) }} |2={{clade |1={{clade |1=''B. physalus'' ([[fin whale]]) |2={{clade |1=''B. edeni'' ([[pygmy Bryde's whale]]) |2={{clade |1=''B. borealis'' ([[Sei whale]]) |2=''B. brydei'' ([[Bryde's whale]]) }} }} }} |2={{clade |1=''B. musculus'' ([[blue whale]]) |2=''Megaptera novaeangliae'' ([[humpback whale]]) |3=''Eschrichtius robustus'' ([[Gray whale]]) }} }} }} }} <small>A [[phylogenetic tree]] of animals related to the humpback whale</small> {{userboxbottom}} Humpback whales are [[rorqual]]s (family [[Balaenopteridae]]), a family that includes the [[blue whale]], the [[fin whale]], the [[Bryde's whale]], the [[Sei whale]] and the [[Minke whale]]. The rorquals are believed to have diverged from the other families of the suborder [[Mysticeti]] as long ago as the middle [[Miocene]].<ref name="evolution">{{cite book <!--| url = http://www-personal.umich.edu/~gingeric/PDFfiles/PDG413_whalesmhyst_opt.pdf | format = PDF DEAD LINK-->| title = McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology | year = 2004 | publisher = The McGraw Hill Companies | chapter = Whale Evolution | author = Gingerich P}}</ref> However, it is not known when the members of these families diverged from each other. Though clearly related to the giant whales of the [[genus]] ''[[Balaenoptera]]'', the humpback has been the sole member of its genus since [[John Edward Gray|Gray]]'s work in 1846. More recently though, DNA sequencing analysis has indicated both the humpback and the [[Gray whale]] are close relatives of the Blue Whale, the world's largest animal. If further research confirms these relationships, it will be necessary to reclassify the rorquals. The humpback whale was first identified as "''baleine de la Nouvelle Angleterre''" by [[Mathurin Jacques Brisson]] in his ''[[Regnum Animale]]'' of 1756. In 1781, [[Georg Heinrich Borowski]] described the species, converting Brisson's name to its [[Latin]] equivalent, ''Balaena novaeangliae''. Early in the 19th century [[Bernard Germain Étienne de La Ville-sur-Illon, comte de Lacépède|Lacépède]] shifted the humpback from the [[Balaenidae]] family, renaming it ''Balaenoptera jubartes''. In 1846, [[John Edward Gray]] created the genus ''Megaptera'', classifying the humpback as ''Megaptera longpinna'', but in 1932, [[Remington Kellogg]] reverted the species names to use Borowski's ''novaeangliae''.<ref name="WJ">{{cite book|title=The Whales' Journey|author=Martin S|date=2002|pages=251|publisher=Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited|id=ISBN 1865082325}}</ref> The common name is derived from their humping motion while swimming. The generic name ''Megaptera'' from the [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ''mega-''/μεγα- "giant" and ''ptera''/πτερα "wing",<ref>{{cite book|author=Liddell & Scott|year=1980|title=Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged Edition |publisher=Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK|id=ISBN 0-19-910207-4}}</ref> refers to their large front flippers. The specific name means "New Englander" and was probably given by Brisson due the regular sightings of humpbacks off the coast of [[New England]].<ref name="WJ" /> ==Description and lifecycle== [[Image:Whale-Dive-Small.gif|thumb|left|A diving humpback whale, showing hump and tail fins]] Humpback whales can easily be identified by their stocky bodies with obvious humps and black [[dorsal]] colouring. The head and lower jaw are covered with knobs called [[tubercle (anatomy)|tubercle]]s, which are actually [[hair follicle]]s and are characteristic of the species. The tail flukes, which are lifted high in some dive sequences, have wavy trailing edges.<ref name="plan">{{Citation | title = Recovery Plan for the Humpback Whale (''Megapten Novaeangliae'') | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | format = PDF| year = 1991 | url = http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/recovery/whale_humpback.pdf}}</ref> There are four global populations, all being studied. North Pacific, Atlantic, and southern ocean humpbacks have distinct populations which make an annual migration. One population in the Indian Ocean does not migrate. The Indian Ocean has a northern coastline, while the Atlantic and Pacific oceans do not, thereby preventing the humpbacks from migrating to the pole. The long black and white tail fin, which can be up to a third of body length, and the pectoral fins have unique patterns, which enable individual whales to be recognised.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Katona S.K. and Whitehead, H.P.|date=1981|title=Identifying humpback whales using their mural markings|journal=Polar Record|issue= 20|pages=439–444}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Kaufman G., Smultea M.A. and Forestell P.|date=1987|title=Use of lateral body pigmentation patterns for photo ID of east Australian (Area V) humpback whales|journal=Cetus|volume=7|issue=1|pages=5–13}}</ref> Several suggestions have been made to explain the evolution of the humpback's pectoral fins, which are proportionally the longest fins of any [[cetacean]]. The two most enduring hypotheses are the higher maneuverability afforded by long fins, or that the increased surface area is useful for temperature control when migrating between warm and cold climates. Humpbacks also have 'rete mirable' a heat exchanging system, which works similarly to the same structured system in certain species of sharks and other fish. [[Image:Buckelwal Schwanzflosse.jpg|left|thumb|A humpback whale tail has wavy rear edges.]] [[Image:100B2053.jpg|left|thumb|A tail from a different individual - the tail of each humpback whale is visibly unique.]] Humpbacks have 270 to 400 darkly coloured [[baleen]] plates on each side of the mouth. The plates measure from a mere {{convert|18|in|mm}} in the front to approximately {{convert|3|ft|m}} long in the back, behind the hinge. [[Ventral]] grooves run from the lower jaw to the [[umbilicus]] about halfway along the bottom of the whale. These grooves are less numerous (usually 16&ndash;20) and consequently more prominent than in other [[rorqual]]s. The stubby [[dorsal fin]] is visible soon after the [[Blowhole (biology)|blow]] when the whale surfaces, but has disappeared by the time the flukes emerge. Humpbacks have a distinctive 3&nbsp;m (10&nbsp;ft) heart shaped to bushy blow, or exhalation of water through the blowholes. Early whalers also noted blows from humpback adults to be 10 - {{convert|20|ft|m}} high. Whaling records show they understood each specie has its own distinct shape and height of blows. Newborn calves are roughly the length of their mother's head. A {{convert|50|ft|m|sing=on}} mother would have a {{convert|20|ft|m|sing=on}} newborn weighing in at {{convert|2|ST|MT|lk=on}}. They are nursed by their mothers for approximately six months, then are sustained through a mixture of nursing and independent feeding for possibly six months more. Humpback milk is 50% fat and pink in color. Some calves have been observed alone after arrival in [[Alaska]]n waters. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of five with full adult size being achieved a little later. According to new research, males reach sexual maturity at approximately 7 years of age. Fully grown the males average 15&ndash;16&nbsp;m (49&ndash;52&nbsp;ft), the females being slightly larger at 16&ndash;17&nbsp;m (52&ndash;56&nbsp;ft), with a weight of 40,000&nbsp;kg (or 44&nbsp;tons); the largest recorded specimen was 19&nbsp;m (62&nbsp;ft) long and had pectoral fins measuring 6&nbsp;m (20&nbsp;ft) each.<ref name=Clapham>{{cite book|author=Clapham P|chapter=Humpback Whale|pages=589–592|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|id=ISBN 0125513402}}</ref> The largest humpback on record, according to whaling records, was killed in the [[Caribbean]]. She was {{convert|88|ft|m}} long, weighing nearly 90 tons. Females have a ''hemispherical lobe'' about 15&nbsp;centimetres (6&nbsp;[[Inch|in]]) in diameter in their genital region. This allows males and females to be distinguished if the underside of the whale can be seen, even though the male's penis usually remains unseen in the genital slit. Male whales have distinctive scars on heads and bodies, some resulting from battles over females. Females typically breed every two or three years. The gestation period is 11.5 months, yet some individuals can breed in two consecutive years. Humpback whales were thought to live 50&ndash;60 years, but new studies using the changes in amino acids behind eye lenses proved another baleen whale, the [[Bowhead Whale|Bowhead]], to be 211 years old. This was an animal taken by the [[Inuit]] off Alaska. More studies on ages are currently being done. ===Identification=== The varying patterns on the humpback's tail flukes are sufficient to identify an individual. Unique visual identification is not possible in most cetacean species (exceptions include [[Orca]]s and [[right whale|Right Whales]]), so the humpback has become one of the most-studied species. A study using data from 1973 to 1998 on whales in the North Atlantic gave researchers detailed information on gestation times, growth rates, and calving periods, as well as allowing more accurate population predictions by simulating the [[mark-release-recapture]] technique. A photographic catalogue of all known whales in the North Atlantic was developed over this period and is currently maintained by [[Wheelock College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whale.wheelock.edu/whalenet-stuff/humpcat.html|title=Whalenet Data Search|publisher=Wheelock College|author=Williamson JM|date=2005| accessdate = 2007-04-03}}</ref> Similar photographic identification projects have subsequently begun in the North Pacific by SPLASH (Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance and Status of Humpbacks), and around the world. Another organization (Cascadia Research) headed by well known researcher John Calambokidis, along with Dr. Robin Baird, have joined with others from NOAA, hoping to soon have an online catalog of more than 3500 fluke identification pictures that the public can access, and possibly contribute to. ===Social structure and courtship=== [[Image:Humpback stellwagen edit.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Humpbacks frequently breach, throwing two thirds or more of their bodies out of the water and splashing down on their backs.]] {{seealso|Whale surfacing behaviour}} The humpback social structure is loose-knit. Usually, individuals live alone or in small transient groups that assemble and break up over the course of a few hours. Groups may stay together a little longer in summer in order to forage and feed cooperatively. Longer-term relationships between pairs or small groups, lasting months or even years, have been observed, but are rare. Recent studies extrapolate feeding bonds observed with many females in Alaskan waters over the last 10 years. It is possible some females may have these bonds for a lifetime. More studies need to be done on this. The range of the humpback overlaps considerably with many other whale and dolphin species &mdash; whilst it may be seen near other species (for instance, the Minke Whale), it rarely interacts socially with them. Humpback calves have been observed in Hawaiian waters playing with bottlenose dolphin calves. [[Courtship]] rituals take place during the winter months, when the whales migrate toward the equator from their summer feeding grounds closer to the poles. Competition for a mate is usually fierce, and female whales as well as mother-calf dyads are frequently trailed by unrelated male whales dubbed ''escorts'' by researcher [[Louis Herman]]. Groups of two to twenty males typically gather around a single female and exhibit a variety of behaviours in order to establish dominance in what is known as a ''competitive group''. The displays may last several hours, the group size may ebb and flow as unsuccessful males retreat and others arrive to try their luck. Techniques used include breaching, spy-hopping, lob-tailing, tail-slapping, flipper-slapping, charging and parrying. "Super pods" have been observed numbering more than 40 males, all vying for the same female. (M. Ferrari et. al) [[Whale song]] is assumed to have an important role in mate selection; however, scientists remain unsure whether the song is used between males in order to establish identity and dominance, between a male and a female as a mating call, or a mixture of the two. All these vocal and physical techniques have also been observed while not in the presence of potential mates. This indicates that they are probably important as a more general communication tool. Recent studies showed singing males attract other males. Scientists are extrapolating possibilities the singing may be a way to keep the migrating populations connected. (Ferrari, Nicklin, Darling, et al.) It has also been noted that the singing begins when the competition ends. Studies on this are ongoing. (www.whaletrust.com) ===Feeding=== [[Image:Whales Bubble Net Feeding-edit1.jpg|right|thumb|A group of 15 whales bubble net fishing near [[Juneau, Alaska]]]] [[Image:Humpback-bubble-spiral Olson.jpg|right|thumb|Aerial view of a bubble net off Cape Fanshaw, Alaska]] <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:humpback flipper.jpg|thumb|right|Slapping pec fins may help humpbacks forage for food by startling fish.]] --> The species feeds only in summer and lives off fat reserves during winter. Humpback whales will only feed rarely and opportunistically while in their wintering waters. It is an energetic feeder, taking [[krill]] and small schooling [[fish]], such as [[herring]] ''(Clupea harengus)'', [[salmon]], [[capelin]] ''(Mallotus villosus)'' and [[sand lance]] ''(Ammodytes americanus)'' as well as [[Mackerel]] ''(Scomber scombrus)'', [[pollock]] ''(Pollachius virens)'' and [[haddock]] ''(Melanogrammus aeglefinus)'' in the North Atlantic.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Overholtz W.J. and Nicholas J.R.|date=1979|title=Apparent feeding by the fin whale, ''Balaenoptera physalus'', and humpback whale, ''Megaptera novaeangliae'', on the American sand lance, ''Ammodytes americanus'', in the Northwest Atlantic|journal=Fish. Bull.|issue=77|pages=285–287}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Whitehead H.|date=1987|title=Updated status of the humpback whale, ''Megaptera novaeangliae'', in Canada|journal=Canadian Field-Naturalist|volume=101|issue=2|pages=284–294}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Meyer T.L., Cooper R.A. and Langton R.W.|date=1979|title=Relative abundance, behavior and food habits of the American sand lance ''(Ammodytes americanus)'' from the Gulf of Maine|journal=Fish. Bull|volume=77|issue=1|pages=243–253}}</ref> Krill and [[Copepod]]s have been recorded from Australian and Antarctic waters.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Nemoto T.|date=1959|title=Food of baleen whales with reference to whale movements|journal=Science Report Whales Research Institute Tokyo|issue=14|pages=149–290}}</ref> It hunts fish by direct attack or by stunning them by hitting the water with its pectoral fins or flukes. [[Image:Humpback lunge feeding.jpg|thumb|right|A pair of humpback whales feeding by lunging.]] The humpback has the most diverse repertoire of feeding methods of all [[baleen whale]]s.<ref name ="Recplan91">{{cite book|publisher=National Marine Fisheries Service|date=1991|title=Recovery Plan for the Humpback Whale ''(Megaptera novaeangliae)''|author=Prepared by the Humpback Whale Recovery Team for the National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, Maryland|pages=105}}</ref> Its most inventive technique is known as ''bubble net feeding'': a group of whales blows bubbles while swimming in circles to create a ring of bubbles. The ring encircles the fish, which are confined in an ever-tighter area as the whales swim in a smaller and smaller circles. The whales then suddenly swim upward through the bubble net, mouths agape, swallowing thousands of fish in one gulp. This technique can involve a ring of bubbles up to 30&nbsp;m (100&nbsp;ft) in diameter and the cooperation of a dozen animals. Some of the whales take the task of blowing the bubbles through their [[blowhole (biology)|blowholes]], some dive deeper to drive fish toward the surface, and others herd fish into the net by vocalizing.<ref>{{cite news |first=Deb |last=Acklin |title= Crittercam Reveals Secrets of the Marine World|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/06/0624_020624_TVbubble.html |work= |publisher= National Geographic News |date=2005-08-05 |accessdate=2007-11-01 }}</ref> Humpbacks have been observed bubblenet feeding alone as well. Humpback whales are preyed upon by [[Orca]]s. The result of these attacks is generally nothing more serious than some scarring of the skin, but it is likely that young calves are sometimes killed.<ref name="claphamj">{{cite journal |journal= Mammal New studies (Ferrari, Mizroch, et.al.) show first year calf mortality is 18-20%. Beyond the first year is still being studied. Review |author= Clapham, P.J. |date= 1996 |title= The social and reproductive biology of humpback whales: an ecological perspective |issue= 26 |pages= 27–49 |url= http://www.sitkawhalefest.org/review.pdf |format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-04-26}}</ref> ===Song=== {{main|Whale song}} [[Image:Humpback Whales in antarctica.jpg|Humpback swimming on his back in [[Antarctica]]|thumb]] Both male and female humpback whales can produce sounds, however only the males produce the long, loud, complex "songs" for which the species is famous. Each song consists of several sounds in a low [[register (music)|register]] that vary in [[amplitude]] and [[frequency]], and typically lasts from 10 to 20 minutes.<ref name="asc"/> Songs may be repeated continuously for several hours; humpback whales have been observed to sing continuously for more than 24 hours at a time. As [[cetacean]]s have no vocal cords, whales generate their song by forcing air through their massive nasal cavities. Whales within an area sing the same song, for example all of the humpback whales of the North Atlantic sing the same song, and those of the North Pacific sing a different song. Each population's song changes slowly over a period of years &mdash;never returning to the same sequence of notes.<ref name="asc"/> Scientists are still unsure of the purpose of whale song. Only male humpbacks sing, so it was initially assumed that the purpose of the songs was to attract females. However, many of the whales observed to approach singing whales have been other males, with the meeting resulting in a conflict. Thus, one interpretation is that the whale songs serve as a threat to other males.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/humpback/song.html|title=Humpback Whales. Song of the Sea.|accessdate=2007-04-22|publisher=Public Broadcasting Station}}</ref> Some scientists have hypothesized that the song may serve an [[animal echolocation|echolocative]] function.<ref>{{cite journal |journal= IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering |title= Humpback Whale Song or Humpback Whale Sonar? A Reply to Au et al. |author= Mercado E III & Frazer LN |volume= 26 |issue=3 |pages=406–415 |date= July 2001 |url= http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~emiii/00946514.pdf |format = PDF |accessdaymonth=[[3 April]] |accessyear=[[2007]] |doi= 10.1109/48.946514}}</ref> During the feeding season, humpback whales make altogether different vocalizations, which they use to herd fish into their bubble nets.<ref> {{cite journal |journal= Aquatic Mammals |title= Stereotypical sound patterns in humpback whale songs: Usage and function |author= Mercado E III, Herman LM & Pack AA |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=37–52 |date=2003 |url= http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~emiii/mercado_et_al_03.pdf |format = PDF |accessdaymonth=[[3 April]]|accessyear=[[2007]] |doi= 10.1578/016754203101024068}}</ref> ==Population and distribution== The humpback whale is found in all the major [[ocean]]s, in a wide band running from the Antarctic ice edge to 65° N [[latitude]], though is not found in the eastern [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]], the [[Baltic Sea]] or the [[Arctic Ocean]]. There are at least 80,000 humpback whales worldwide, with 18,000-20,000 in the North Pacific, about 12,000 in the North Atlantic, and over 50,000 in the [[Southern Hemisphere]], down from a pre-[[whaling]] population of 125,000.<ref name="plan" /> The humpback is a migratory species, spending its summers in cooler, high-latitude waters, but mating and calving in tropical and sub-tropical waters.<ref name="asc">{{cite web|url=http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/humpback.htm|title=American Cetacean Society Fact Sheet| publisher = American Cetacean Society | accessdate=2007-04-17 }}</ref> An exception to this rule is a population in the [[Arabian Sea]], which remains in these tropical waters year-round.<ref name="asc" /> Annual migrations of up to 25,000&nbsp;kilometres (16,000&nbsp;[[statute mile]]s) are typical, making it one of the farthest-travelling of any mammalian species. A 2007 study identified seven individual whales wintering off the Pacific coast of [[Costa Rica]] as those which had made a trip from the Antarctic of around 8,300&nbsp;km. Identified by their unique tail patterns, these animals have made the longest documented migration by a mammal.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Rasmussen K, Palacios DM, Calambokidis J, Saborío MT, Dalla Rosa L, Secchi ER, Steiger GH, Allen JM, & Stone GS|date=2007|title=Southern Hemisphere humpback whales wintering off Central America: insights from water temperature into the longest mammalian migration|journal=Biology Letters|issue=10.1098/rsbl.2007.0067|id= ISSN 1744-957X|url=http://www.journals.royalsoc.ac.uk/openurl.asp?genre=article&doi=10.1098/rsbl.2007.0067 |volume=3|pages=302|doi=10.1098/rsbl.2007.0067}}</ref> In [[Australia]], two main migratory populations have been identified, off the west and east coast respectively. These two populations are distinct with only a few females in each [[generation]] crossing between the two groups.<ref name="aus">{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=38|title=Megaptera novaeangliae in Species Profile and Threats Database|publisher=Australian Government: Department of the Environment and Water Resources|date=2007|accessdate=2007-04-17 }}</ref> ==Whaling== {{main|Whaling}} One of the first attempts to hunt the humpback whale was made by [[John Smith of Jamestown|John Smith]] in 1614 off the coast of [[Maine]]. Opportunistic killing of the species is likely to have occurred long before, and it continued with increasing pace in the following centuries. By the 18th century, the commercial value of humpback whales had been recognized,{{Fact|date=August 2007}} and they became a common target for whalers for many years. By the 19th century, many nations (the [[United States]] in particular), were hunting the animal heavily in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], and to a lesser extent in the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]] and [[Pacific Ocean]]s. It was, however, the introduction of the [[explosive harpoon]] in the late 19th century that allowed whalers to accelerate their take. This, along with hunting beginning in the [[Antarctic Ocean]] in 1904, led to a sharp decline in most whale populations. It is estimated that during the 20th century at least 200,000 humpbacks were taken, reducing the global population by over 90%, with the population in the North Atlantic estimated to have dropped to as low as 700 individuals.<ref name=breiwick>Breiwick JM, Mitchell E, Reeves RR (1983) Simulated population trajectories for northwest Atlantic humpback whales 1865–1980. ''Fifth biennial Conference on Biology of Marine Mammals, Boston'' Abstract. p14</ref> To prevent [[extinction]], the [[International Whaling Commission]] introduced a ban on commercial humpback whaling in 1966. That ban is still in force. By that time humpback whales were so scarce that commercial hunting was no longer worthwhile.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} At this time, 250,000 were recorded killed.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} However, the true toll is likely to be higher. It is now known that the [[Soviet Union]] was deliberately under-recording its kills; the total Soviet humpback kill was reported at 2,820 whereas the true number is now believed to be over 48,000.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Whales Alive!|publisher=Cetacean Society International|volume=6|number=4|title=On the Soviet Whaling Falsification, 1947–1972|author=Prof. Alexey V. Yablokov|date=1997|url=http://csiwhalesalive.org/csi97403.html}}</ref> As of 2004, hunting of humpback whales is restricted to a few animals each year off the Caribbean island [[Bequia]] in the nation of [[St. Vincent and the Grenadines]].<ref name ="Recplan91"/> The take is not believed to threaten the local population. ===Japanese whaling=== {{See also|Whaling in Japan}} [[Japan]] had planned to kill 50 humpback whales in the 2007/08 season under its [[Institute for Cetacean Research|JARPA II]] research program in the [[Antarctic Ocean]], starting in November 2007. The announcement sparked global protests.<ref name="scoop">scoop.co.nz: [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00320.htm Leave Humpback Whales Alone Message To Japan] [[16 May]] [[2007]]</ref> In [[New Zealand]], protests came from [[Maori]] and Pacific community leaders. Whales hold a significant place in the tradition and culture of many Pacific countries, according to Melino Maka, chairman of the Tongan Advisory Council. "We have a spiritual connection with our whales in our waters." he said.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Protests occurred in 20 centres around [[Australia]] as well as [[Tonga]]. Many whales known to locals and tourism operators in Australian waters were born after whaling finished, so around humans they're benign.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} It is feared that the whales may become fearful of humans and that it will damage tourism.{{Who}} Whale watching is worth an estimated $260 million in Australia.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} The Australian government has been vocal in its opposition to whaling, but has been criticized for not taking legal action against it.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,23483,21741734-5012962,00.html Grim plan threatens humpbacks | NEWS.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the lead up to the Federal election, the Australian shadow environment minister, [[Peter Garrett]], announced a policy whereby Australian navy ships would intercept and board whaling vessels.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} After a visit to Tokyo by the chairman of the IWC, asking the Japanese for their co-operation in sorting out the differences between pro- and anti-whaling nations on the Commission, the Japanese whaling fleet agreed that no [[humpback whale]]s would be caught for the two years it would take for the IWC to reach a formal agreement.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7156288.stm BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Japan changes track on whaling<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Conservation== [[Image:DeadHumpback.jpg|thumb|right|A dead humpback washed up near [[Big Sur]], [[California]]]] Internationally this species is considered [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]]. Most monitored stocks of humpback whales have rebounded well since the end of the commercial whaling era,<ref name="iucn" /><ref>{{cite news | title = Study: Humpback whale population is rising | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24788056/ | date = 2008-05-23 | accessdate = 2008-05-23}}</ref> such as the North Atlantic where stocks are now believed to be approaching pre-hunting levels.<!--ref name="Fbl" /--> However, the species is considered [[endangered species|endangered]] in some countries where local populations have recovered slowly, including the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index.cfm?adfg=endangered.humpbackwhale|title=Humpback Whale (''Megaptera novaeangliae'')|publisher=Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game|date=2006|accessdate =2008-02-10}}</ref> Today, individuals are vulnerable to collisions with ships, [[By-catch|entanglement]] in fishing gear, and noise pollution.<ref name="iucn" /> Like other cetaceans, humpbacks are sensitive to noise and can even be injured by it. In the 19th century, two humpback whales were found dead near sites of repeated oceanic sub-bottom blasting, with traumatic injuries and fractures in the ears.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Journal of the Acoustic Society of America|number=94|date=1849–1850|title=Blast injury in humpback whale ears}}</ref> Once hunted to the brink of extinction the humpback whale has made a dramatic comeback in the North Pacific Ocean. A study released May 22, 2008 estimates that the humpback whale population that hit a low of 1,500 whales before hunting was banned worldwide, has made a comeback to a population of between 18,000 and 20,000.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080523/ap_on_sc/humpback_comeback;_ylt=AuvSzVjym3ZzzG9thL8HijxvieAA Study: N. Pacific humpback whale population rises - Yahoo! News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The ingestion of [[saxitoxin]], a [[Paralytic shellfish poisoning]] (PSP) from contaminated mackerel has been implicated in humpback whale deaths.<ref>{{cite book|author=Dierauf L & Gulland F|date=2001|title=Marine Mammal Medicine|publisher=CRC Press|id=ISBN 0849308399}}</ref> Some countries are creating action plans to protect the humpback; for example, in the [[United Kingdom]], the humpback whale has been designated as a priority species under the national [[Biodiversity Action Plan]], generating a set of actions to conserve the species. The sanctuary provided by [[National Park]]s such as [[Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve]] and [[Cape Hatteras National Seashore]], among others, have also become a major factor in sustaining the populations of the species in those areas.<ref name="npc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.npca.org/marine_and_coastal/marine_wildlife/humpbackwhale.html|title=Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)|publisher=National Parks Conservation Association| accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref> Although much was known about the humpback whale due to information obtained through whaling, the migratory patterns and social interactions of the species were not well known until two separate studies by R. Chittleborough and W. H. Dawbin in the 1960s.<ref>Chittleborough RG. (1965) Dynamics of two populations of the humpback whale. ''Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research'' '''16''': 33&ndash;128.</ref> [[Roger Payne]] and [[Scott McVay]] made further studies of the species in 1971.<ref>Payne RS, McVay S. (1971) Songs of humpback whales. ''Science'' '''173''':585–597.</ref> Their analysis of whale song led to worldwide media interest in the species, and left an impression in the public mind that whales were a highly [[cetacean intelligence|intelligent cetacean]] species, a contributing factor to the anti-whaling stance of many countries. ==Whale-watching== {{mainarticle|Whale-watching}} [[Image:Humpback Whale fg1.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Humpback near [[Hervey Bay, Queensland]]]] Humpback whales are generally curious about objects in their environment. They will often approach and circle boats. This has become an attraction of [[whale-watching]] tourism in many locations around the world since the 1990s. Whale-watching locations include the Atlantic coast off the [[Samaná Province]] of the [[Dominican Republic]], the Pacific coast off [[Oregon]], [[Washington]], [[Vancouver]], [[Hawaii]] and [[Alaska]], the [[Bay of Biscay]] to the west of France, [[Sydney]],[[Byron Bay]] north of [[Sydney]], [[Hervey Bay]] north of [[Brisbane]], North and East of [[Cape Town]], the coasts of [[New England]], [[Nova Scotia]] and [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]], [[New Zealand]], the [[Tonga]]n islands, the northern [[St. Lawrence River]] and the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the west of [[Iceland]]. The species is popular because it breaches regularly and spectacularly, and displays a range of other social behaviours. As with other cetacean species, however, a mother whale will generally be extremely protective of her infant, and will seek to place herself between any boat and the calf before moving quickly away from the vessel. Whale-watching tour operators are asked to avoid stressing the mother. ==Famous humpbacks== ===Migaloo=== A presumably [[albino]] humpback whale that travels up and down the east coast of Australia has become famous in the local media, on account of its extremely rare all-white appearance. The whale, first sighted in 1991 and believed to be 3-5 years old at that time, is called Migaloo (a word for "white fellow" from one of the languages of the [[Indigenous Australians]]). Speculation about the whale's gender was resolved in October 2004 when researchers from Southern Cross University collected sloughed skin samples from Migaloo as he migrated past Lennox Head, and subsequent genetic analysis of the samples proved he is a male. Because of the intense interest, environmentalists feared that the whale was becoming distressed by the number of boats following it each day. In response, the Queensland and New South Wales governments introduce legislation each year to order the maintenance of a 500&nbsp;m (1,600&nbsp;ft) exclusion zone around the whale. Recent close up pictures have shown Migaloo to have skin cancer and/or skin cysts as a result of his lack of protection from the sun.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.migaloowhale.org/05/space.html|title=Migaloo, the White Humpback Whale|publisher=Pacific Whale Foundation|date=2004| accessdate = 2007-04-03}}</ref> ===Humphrey=== {{main|Humphrey the whale}} One of the most notable humpback whales is [[Humphrey the whale]], who was rescued twice in [[California]] by [[The Marine Mammal Center]] and other concerned groups.<ref>Tokuda W (1992) ''Humphrey the lost whale'', Heian Intl Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89346-346-9</ref><ref>Callenbach E & Leefeldt C ''Humphrey the Wayward Whale'', ISBN 0-930588-23-1</ref> The first rescue was in 1985, when he swam into [[San Francisco Bay]] and then up the [[Sacramento River]] towards [[Rio Vista, California|Rio Vista]].<ref>Jane Kay, ''San Francisco Examiner'' Monday, [[October 9]], [[1995]]</ref> Five years later, Humphrey returned and became stuck on a [[bay mud|mudflat]] in San Francisco Bay immediately north of [[Sierra Point, Brisbane, California|Sierra Point]] below the view of onlookers from the upper floors of the [[Dakin Building]]. He was pulled off the mudflat with a large cargo net and the help of a Coast Guard boat. Both times he was successfully guided back to the Pacific Ocean using a "sound net" in which people in a flotilla of boats made unpleasant noises behind the whale by banging on steel pipes, a Japanese fishing technique known as "oikami." At the same time, the attractive sounds of humpback whales preparing to feed were broadcast from a boat headed towards the open ocean.<ref>Toni Knapp, ''The Six Bridges of Humphrey the Whale''. Illustrated by Craig Brown. Roberts Rinehart, 1993 (1989)</ref> Since leaving the San Francisco Bay in 1990 Humphrey has been seen only once, at the [[Farallon Islands]] in 1991. ===Delta and Dawn=== A humpback whale mother and calf captivated the San Francisco Bay Area in May 2007.<ref>Lee, Henry & Martin, Glen, ''San Francisco Chronicle'', "Whales disappear -- rescuers believe they're back at sea", 2007-03-30,http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/30/BAG9EQ3TU818.DTL</ref> This pair appeared to have gotten lost on their Northern migration, swam into the bay and up the Sacramento River as far as the [[Port of Sacramento]]. First spotted on [[13 May]], the whales inspired intense news coverage and were named Delta and Dawn. Whale fans became worried as the whales, both injured with what were possibly cuts caused by boat propellers, continued their stay in the brackish waters, despite efforts to get them to return to the sea. Unexpectedly, on [[20 May]] they headed back towards the bay, but they tarried near the Rio Vista bridge for 10 days. Finally, on [[Memorial Day]] weekend, they left [[Rio Vista, California]]; passing Tuesday night, [[29 May]], through the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] out to the Pacific Ocean. ===Mister Splashy Pants=== {{main|Mister Splashy Pants}} Mister Splashy Pants is a humpback in the south Pacific Ocean. It's being tracked with a [[Tracking animal migration#Satellite tracking|satellite tag]] by [[Greenpeace]] as a part of its Great Whale Trail Expedition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/29/2104802.htm |title=Whale name makes a big splash |accessdate=2007-12-10 |author=Timothy Marshall |date=2007-11-29}}</ref> The whale's name was chosen in an online poll that garnered attention from several websites, including [[Boing Boing]] and [[Reddit]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hippyshopper.com/2007/11/mister_splashyp.html |title='Mister Splashy Pants' emerges as clear favourite in Greenpeace whale-naming competition |accessdate=2007-12-10 |author=AbiSilvester |date=2007-11-29 }}</ref> The name "Mister Splashy Pants" received over 78% of the votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/splashy-101207 |title=Mister Splashy Pants the whale - you named him, now save him |accessdate=2007-12-10 |date=2007-12-10}}</ref> ==In popular culture== * In ''[[Moby-Dick]]'', a novel where the chief whale [[protagonist]] is a [[sperm whale]], [[Herman Melville]] describes the humpback whale as "the most gamesome and light-hearted of all the whales, making more gay foam and white water than any other of them". * A pair of humpback whales were the main plot element in the film ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]''. In the film, an alien probe arrives at 23rd century Earth and attempts to contact the by then extinct whales. The crew of the ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|Enterprise]]'' travel back in time to obtain a breeding pair of humpbacks, named George and Gracie, to communicate with the probe and forestall the Earth's destruction. * In Disney's ''[[Fantasia 2000]]'', a segment featuring a pod of frolicking humpback whales in the air and within icebergs is set to [[Ottorino Respighi]]'s "[[Pines of Rome]]". * [[Judy Collins]]'s 1970 album ''[[Whales and Nightingales]]'' featured a recording of the traditional song "Farewell To Tarwathie", on which Collins sang to the accompaniment of a recording of a humpback whale. * "''Port na bPúcaí''", a traditional [[Air (music)|air]] from [[Ireland]]'s [[Blasket Islands]], is thought to be inspired by humpback whales migrating to the calfing grounds in Cape Verde. Folklore tells that Islanders awoke in the night to hear strange music coming from the sea; this music was copied down and called "''Port na bPúcaí''" ([[Irish language|Irish Gaelic]] for "Song of the Faeries/Ghosts").<ref>"Ireland's 1st International Humpback Whale Match". Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Online: http://www.iwdg.ie/article.asp?id=1855</ref> ==Media== {{seealso|List of whale songs}} {{multi-listen start}} {{multi-listen item|filename=Humpback_whale_moo.ogg|title=Common humpback whale vocalizations on a windy day|description=Recorded by the [[National Park Service]], using a [[hydrophone]] that is anchored near the mouth of [[Glacier Bay]], [[Alaska]] for the purpose of monitoring [[Ambient noise level|ambient noise]].|format=[[Ogg]]}} {{multi-listen item|filename=Humpback whale wheezeblow.ogg|title=A humpback whale song|description=Also recorded by the National Park Service, as above.|format=[[Ogg]]}} {{multi-listen item|filename=Akhumphi1x.ogg|title=Another humpback whale song|description=Made by the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|format=[[Ogg]]}} {{multi-listen end}} ==Footnotes== {{reflist|2}} ==References== ===Books=== <div class="references-small"> *Clapham, Phil. (1996). ''Humpback Whales''. ISBN 0-948661-87-9 *Clapham, Phil. ''Humpback Whale''. pp 589&ndash;592 in the ''Encyclopeadia of Marine Mammals''. ISBN 0-12-551340-2 *Reeves, Stewart, Clapham and Powell. Date? ''National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World''. ISBN 0-375-41141-0 *Dawbin, W. H. ''The seasonal migratory cycle of humpback whales''. In K.S. Norris (ed), ''Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises''. University of California Press. </div> ===Journal articles=== <div class="references-small"> *Best, P. B. (1993) Increase rates in severely depleted stocks of baleen whales. ''ICES Journal of Marine Science'' '''50''':169–186. *Smith, T.D.; J. Allen, P.J. Clapham, P.S. Hammond, S. Katona, F. Larsen, J. Lien, D. Mattila, P.J. Palsboll, J. Sigurjonsson, P.T. Stevick & N. Oien. (1999) An ocean-basin-wide mark-recapture study of the North Atlantic humpback whale. ''Marine Mammal Science'' '''15''': 1&ndash;32. </div> ==External links== {{cetaceaportal}} {{Spoken Wikipedia|En-humpback_whale.ogg|2005-09-18}} {{Commons|Megaptera novaeangliae}} {{Wikispecies|Megaptera novaeangliae}} ;General *ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Megaptera_novaeangliae/ images and movies of the humpback whale ''(Megaptera novaeangliae)'']. *[http://www.wdcs.org Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)] *[http://www.mayumbanationalpark.com/cetaceans.htm Photos and information about humpback whales and other cetaceans in Mayumba National Park] *[http://www.oceania.org.au/whales/whales.html Humpbacks of Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia] *[http://www.dolphin-institute.org/resource_guide/gettingtoknowhumpbackwhales.htm The Dolphin Institute Whale Resource Guide] and [http://www.dolphin-institute.org/our_research/whale_research/whaleresearchpublications.htm scientific publications] *[http://www.ecoresearch.net/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=227 Humpback Whale Gallery (Silverbanks)] *{{fr icon}}[http://www.cetace.info/videos/Baleine_a_bosse/videos_baleine_a_bosse.php Humpback whale videos] *[http://www.bigtomatopress.com/ Book about the two humpback whales lost in the Sacramento River in May 2007] - *[http://www.oceania.org.au/iwhales/portal/home.php The Humpback Whales of Hervey Bay] ;Humpback whale songs *[http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~emiii/mercado_et_al_03.pdf A detailed analysis of the form and function of the humpback whale song], from the [[University at Buffalo, The State University of New York|University at Buffalo]] *[http://whalesong.net The Whalesong Project] *[http://www.physorg.com/news11980.html Article from PHYSORG.com on the complex syntax of whalesong phrases] ;Conservation *[http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/research/HIHWNMS_Research_Mobley.pdf Estimating the humpback population in the Pacific], from the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] *[http://www.dal.ca/~whitelab/rwb/COSEWIChumpback2003.pdf Estimating the humpback population in the Atlantic], from [[Dalhousie University]] *[http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/m-novaeangliae/index.html Recovery plan in Australia: 2005–2010] *[http://www.incidentnews.gov/attachments/7639/517872/Sacramento_Humpback_Whales-051807-1355.pdf Humpback Whales in the Sacramento River] by the [[NOAA]] *[http://www.oceania.org.au/expedition/research.html The Oceania Project, Humpback Whale Research, Hervey Bay] {{Cetacea|M.}} {{featured article}} [[Category:Baleen whales]] [[Category:Fauna of Greenland]] [[Category:Cetaceans of Australia]] {{Link FA|es}} {{Link FA|fr}} {{Link FA|he}} {{Link FA|pt}} {{Link FA|ru}} [[ar:حوت سنامي]] [[zh-min-nan:Toā-si̍t-keng]] [[ca:Iubarta]] [[cs:Keporkak]] [[da:Pukkelhval]] [[de:Buckelwal]] [[et:Küürvaal]] [[es:Megaptera novaeangliae]] [[eo:Ĝiba baleno]] [[fr:Baleine à bosse]] [[ko:혹등고래]] [[id:Paus Bungkuk]] [[it:Megaptera novaeangliae]] [[he:לווייתן גדול סנפיר]] [[kl:Qipoqqaq]] [[lt:Kuprotasis banginis]] [[hu:Hosszúszárnyú bálna]] [[nl:Bultrug]] [[ja:ザトウクジラ]] [[no:Knølhval]] [[pl:Humbak]] [[pt:Baleia-jubarte]] [[ru:Горбатый кит]] [[simple:Humpback whale]] [[sk:Vráskavec dlhoplutvý]] [[fi:Ryhävalas]] [[sv:Knölval]] [[th:วาฬหลังค่อม]] [[tr:Kambur balina]] [[zh-yue:座頭鯨]] [[zh:座头鲸]]