Satellite derived offshore migratory movements of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) from Australian and New Zealand wintering grounds

New satellite tracking data reveal that southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) from Australian and New Zealand wintering grounds exhibit variable migratory pathways and foraging strategies during the Austral summer. While some whales migrate to the Subtropical Front, a likely feeding ground shared by both populations, others, particularly one tagged in Tasmania—a sub-population not showing post-whaling recovery—travel to higher latitude Antarctic waters, suggesting distinct foraging behaviors. The study tracked six whales for an average of 78.5 days, covering distances ranging from 645 to 6,381 km, challenging the assumption of consistent migratory corridors in this species. These findings highlight potential differences in feeding ground fidelity and population growth rates between wintering grounds, offering insights into the ecological dynamics of southern right whales.

Mackay, A. I., Bailleul, F., Carroll, E. L., Andrews-Goff, V., Baker, C. S., Bannister, J., Boren, L., Carlyon, K., Donnelly, D. M., Double, M., Goldsworthy, S. D., Harcourt, R., Holman, D., Lowther, A., Parra, G. J., & Childerhouse, S. J. (2020). Satellite derived offshore migratory movements of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) from Australian and New Zealand wintering grounds. Plos One, 15(5), e0231577. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231577