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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
Bryde’s whale ( Balaenoptera edeni ) occurrence and foraging behaviour along the east coast of Australia
New Zealand journal of marine and freshwater research, Vol.59(4), pp.800-815
02/10/2025
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Despite their global occurrence in warm-temperate waters and their suspected non-migratory lifestyle, Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni spp.) are considered the least-known large baleen whale species. In Australian waters, information on their distribution, ecology and behaviour is scarce. This study documents Bryde’s whale occurrence and foraging behaviours along the Australian East Coast using opportunistic citizen science sightings via drone aerial photography, vessel and land-based observations. We observed foraging in both shallow (seafloor visible, beach and breaking waves present) and deep waters. We observed a range of foraging behaviours including lunge feeding (exhibited by individual whales and in pairs), sub-surface and
surface skim feeding (shallow waters only) and described multispecies associations. We describe a potentially novel feeding behaviour in shallow waters, where Bryde’s whales are feeding directly within or behind the surf break (shallow water surf feeding). We quantify the presence of mother-calf pairs in Australian waters, highlighting the use of these waters for potential calving. This study provides insights into Bryde’s whale occurrence and foraging behaviour in both shallow and deep waters of eastern Australia.
Details
- Title
- Bryde’s whale ( Balaenoptera edeni ) occurrence and foraging behaviour along the east coast of Australia
- Creators
- Vanessa Pirotta - Macquarie UniversityDaniele Cagnazzi - Southern Cross UniversityBrett Dixon - Tura Beach, New South Wales, AustraliaSimon Millar - Sapphire Coastal Adventures, Merimbula, AustraliaJessica Millar - Sapphire Coastal Adventures, Merimbula, AustraliaGreg Pickering - Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Coffs Harbour, AustraliaPaul A. Butcher - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesKaren A. Stockin - Massey UniversityKatharina J. Peters - University of Wollongong
- Publication Details
- New Zealand journal of marine and freshwater research, Vol.59(4), pp.800-815
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- Number of pages
- 16
- Identifiers
- 991013225780702368
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Author(s)
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article