Behavioural estimation of blue whale movements in the Northeast Pacific from state-space model analysis of satellite tracks

摘要: Baleen whale migrations typically consist of annual movements between productive, high-latitude feeding grounds and unproductive, low-latitude breeding grounds. However, the actual migratory path whales' behaviour in these locations are poorly known. The objectives this study were to apply a switching state-space model satellite tracks blue whales Balaen- optera musculus Northeast Pacific improve location estimation gain insight into (transiting) foraging (area-restricted search, ARS) behaviours population. Dur- ing period 1993 2007, Argos tags attached 159 whales, mainly off coast California during late summer, which 92 >7 d duration. There was generally southward movement winter Baja an area west Costa Rica Dome, eastern tropical (ETP). Travel speeds transit significantly faster than ARS (mean = 3.70 1.05 km h -1 , respectively). On average, 29% track time spent ARS, mean within patch 21 d. occurrence throughout migration cycle suggests that animals may forage year-round, but could also indicate limited reproductive season. extent their northward from Washington varied interannually, likely response environmental changes affecting prey. long durations obtained electronic tagging have provided essential new information about critical habitats whales.