Bryde’s, minke, and humpback whales in the Azores were analyzed within a temporal and spatial distribution between 2006–2012 by Van der Linde et al. (2013), drawing attention to boat presence and seasonal and migratory patterns.

Objective

The objective of the study is to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution of Bryde’s, minke and humpback whales off the Azores Islands. The objective is to determine the seasonal occurrence and movements of these species, both of which are critical for the region’s conservation and management.

Impact

The study found that humpback whales and minke whales were likely migrating between breeding and feeding grounds, while Bryde’s whales were sighted less frequently, suggesting temporal range expansions.
Humpback whale sightings were more common across all seasons, while Bryde’s whale sightings were rare.
The research emphasizes the need for larger temporal and spatial studies to better understand the occurrence patterns of these species in the Azores.

Supported UN Global Goals

The findings from this study contribute to supporting Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and aid our understanding of cetacean migration from an important area in the Azores. This research yields critical data about the occurence and seasonal distribution of Bryde’s, humpback and minke whales that facilitate marine biodiversity conservation by enhancing knowledge of the migratory patterns of these species to support conservation measures and sustainable whale watching practice.