Data from: Satellite tracking reveals novel migratory patterns and the importance of seamounts for endangered South Pacific humpback whales

The humpback whale population of New Caledonia appears to display a novel migratory pattern characterized by multiple directions, long migratory paths, and frequent pauses over seamounts and other shallow geographic features. Using satellite-monitored radio tags, we tracked 34 whales from between 5 and 110 days, travelling between 270 and 8540 km on their southward migration from a breeding ground in southern New Caledonia. Mean migration speed was 3.53±2.22 km/h, while movements within the breeding ground averaged 2.01±1.63 km/h. The tag data demonstrate that seamounts play an important role as offshore habitats for this species. Whales displayed an intensive use of oceanic seamounts both in the breeding season and on migration. Seamounts likely serve multiple and important roles as breeding locations, resting areas, navigational landmarks or even supplemental feeding grounds for this species, which can be viewed as a transient component of the seamount communities. Satellite telemetry suggests that seamounts represent an overlooked cryptic habitat for the species. The frequent use by humpback whales of such remote locations has important implications for conservation and management.

新喀里多尼亚（New Caledonia）的座头鲸种群似乎展现出一种全新的洄游模式，其特征为多方向迁徙、超长洄游路径，以及频繁在海山与其他浅海地理区域停留休整。本研究借助卫星监测无线电标签（satellite-monitored radio tags），对34头座头鲸开展了5至110天不等的追踪：这些鲸鱼从新喀里多尼亚南部的繁殖地向南洄游，单头个体的总行程跨度介于270至8540千米之间。其平均洄游速度为3.53±2.22千米/小时，而在繁殖地内的日常移动平均速度为2.01±1.63千米/小时。标签监测数据证实，海山是该物种重要的远洋栖息生境。座头鲸在繁殖季与洄游途中均会密集利用大洋海山资源。海山可能兼具多重关键功能，可作为该物种的繁殖场所、休憩区域、导航地标，甚至是补充性觅食地；该种群可被视为海山群落中的过渡性组分。卫星遥测（satellite telemetry）结果显示，海山是该物种此前被忽视的隐秘栖息生境。座头鲸对这类偏远海域的频繁利用，对该物种的保护与管理工作具有重要指导意义。