![](/web/20060126162242im_/http://www-sci.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sa/cetacean/humpbackwhale/images/HW_2002-10-29_GE_North%20Coast_0010.jpg)
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate between
high latitude summer feeding grounds and low latitude winter
breeding grounds. In the North Pacific, winter breeding grounds
are known in waters off Japan, Hawaii and Mexico; summer feeding
grounds are found in coastal waters of Alaska, British Columbia
and the western mainland United States. Researchers use
photographs of the ventral surface of the tail flukes to identify
and track movements of individual whales and to estimate
abundance. Patterns of pigmentation, scarring and shape of the
flukes are unique to each individual.
This
catalogue is a collection of identification photographs of
humpback whales seen in British Columbian waters from 1989 to
2003. The majority of the data were collected by the Cetacean
Research Program at the Pacific Biological Station, as part of its
assessments of the conservation status of cetacean
species-at-risk. Most photographs and data were collected in
known areas of concentration along the coast of British Columbia,
including Langara Island, southeast Moresby Island, the northern
mainland, and southwest Vancouver Island.
Each
individual humpback is given a unique alphanumeric identifier.
Each identifier starts with BC to indicate that the animal was
seen in British Columbian waters. Following the BC is an X, Y or
Z, corresponding to the amount of white on the flukes and a number
to identify the individual. BCX## contain approximately 0-20%
white, BCY## have approximately 20-60% white and BCZ## have
approximately 60-100% white. The catalogue is generally arranged
in order of increasing white pigmentation. BCX flukes are further
arranged into groups of similar appearance, and thus may not be in
order of increasing white pigmentation.
For
further information on the humpback whales in this catalogue,
contact the Cetacean Research Program at the Pacific Biological
Station.
Photographs
and data may not be used without permission. Please refer to
“Conditions of Use”
*This website is intended for use with high speed internet access.
Photos may take considerable time to load with a dial-in modem.
Cetacean Research
Program
Pacific Biological Station
3190 Hammond Bay Rd
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 6N7
Phone: (250) 756-7253
Email:
fordjo@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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