Humpback Whales of the Pitcairn Islands

世界上有15个不同的座头鲸种群，估计有162,380头。历史上的捕鲸活动使这些种群大量死亡。在全球范围内，座头鲸被世界自然保护联盟归类为最不受关注的物种，由于国际禁止捕鲸，座头鲸的数量不断增加。然而，有两个亚群被认为是濒危物种，包括海洋亚群。这项研究将研究南太平洋皮特凯恩群岛的一个新的座头鲸亚群。在1990年之前，皮特凯恩群岛没有这一次人口的记录。这个地点现在被认为是这个亚群的重要繁殖栖息地。然而，这些动物与更广泛的种群的真正关系仍然未知，留下了关于它们的脆弱性、恢复潜力和保护价值的关键的政策相关知识空白。在2023年7月至9月至2024年9月期间，将在研究亚群的南半球冬季进行远程田野调查。该项目将采用照片识别、摄影测量、活组织取样、吹气取样、鲸鱼鸣叫录音和生物声学分析以及物种分布模拟。座头鲸的到来不仅为研究皮特凯恩的栖息地适宜性和种群动态提供了机会，也为皮特凯恩社区提供了增加旅游业和经济效益的前景。该项目还将探讨皮特凯恩生态旅游的社会生态效益，将社区看法与海洋保护区的有效性一起视为影响的指标。

There are 15 distinct populations of Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) worldwide with an estimated 162,380 individuals. Historic whaling activities decimated these populations. Globally, humpbacks are categorised as Least Concern by the IUCN with numbers of individuals increasing, due to international bans on whaling. However, there are two subpopulations that are considered endangered including the Oceanic subpopulation. This study will examine a new subpopulation of humpbacks in the Pitcairn Islands, South Pacific. Prior to 1990, this subpopulation was not recorded in the Pitcairn Islands. This site is now thought to be an important breeding habitat for this subpopulation. However, the true relationship of these animals to the wider populations remains unknown, leaving critical policy-relevant knowledge gaps concerning their vulnerability, recovery potential and conservation value. Remote fieldwork will be carried out during the austral winter of the study subpopulation between July-September 2023 and September 2024. This project will employ photo identification, photogrammetry, biopsy sampling, blow sampling, whale song recording and bioacoustic analysis, and species distribution modelling. Not only does the arrival of humpback whales at Pitcairn present an opportunity for research into the habitat suitability and population dynamics, but it provides the prospect of increased tourism and economic benefit to the Pitcairn community. This project will also address the socio-ecological benefits ecotourism at Pitcairn, looking at community perceptions as an indicator of impact along with the Marine Protected Area effectiveness.