Every whale is unique and can be identified by the notches and color patterns on their flukes (tails).
The humpback whales below were tagged in New Caledonia and The Cook
Islands in the South Pacific. The whales that visit New Caledonia come
back to the same islands every year to rest, give birth and breed.
These whales come from small, unrecovered populations which are
distinct from the humpbacks from other areas in the Pacific.
When
a whaler lines up a whale, ready to shoot the harpoon, he won't know if
the whale in his sights is from this small, unique population where the
death of one whale can have dramatic consequences for the survival of
the group, or from more abundant populations.
Look at each whale's profile and track them on the map as they migrate to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary around Antarctica.
The
information provided by the satellite tags will provide vital data on
the movements, habitat use and population structure of these unique
whales.