To study the spatial and temporal dynamics of short-finned pilot whales Globicephala macrorhynchus and their individual movements and residency, Negulescu et al. (2020) conducted photo-identification of the species around São Miguel Island, Azores, over an 11-year period.

Objective

Spatial and temporal variation of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) around Sao Miguel Island, Azores was investigated. The objective was to produce a photo identification catalogue and characterize seasonal residency, while identifying potential threats from anthropogenic activities.

Impact

Short-finned pilot whales were mainly seen in July and June, during the summer, they found in the study. Of the most commonly identified sightings, the whales were in waters with depths of 700–1200 m and slopes of 2° to 6°.
Forty two re-sightings of individual whales were performed, but owing to low re-sighting rates, the social structure of the population could not be thoroughly assessed.
The study finds that additional research is needed to understand how oceanographic factors, such as sea surface temperature, impact the temporal distribution of the whales, and asks for conservation measures to protect the species from threats related to humans.

Supported UN Global Goals

This study supports Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) by investigating the habitat and migration patterns of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off São Miguel, Azores. The research utilizes photo-identification as a tool for monitoring populations and identifying the species’ residency patterns. The project aims to inform conservation efforts and provide insights into the impact of human activities like whale watching, fishing, and boat strikes on this vulnerable species.