Abundance of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering in Central America and southern Mexico from a one-dimensional spatial capture-recapture model

We estimated abundance for the CentAm/SMex-CA/OR/WA DIP from photo-identification data collected in their wintering area from 2019 to 2021. A randomization test suggested some fidelity in individual space use off Central America and Southern Mexico, implying that variable effort in time and space should be considered in capture-recapture estimates. We fitted a closed, one-dimensional spatial capture-recapture model to annual capture histories using a Bayesian framework. We accounted for uncertainty in the northern limit of the population and in the potential for movement of individuals across that limit by varying the northern population limit within the base model and exploring sensitivity to the northern boundary of the model domain in two alternate models. 2022 Southwest Fisheries Science Center Marine Mammal and Turtle Division Humpback whales NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) SWFSC (Southwest Fisheries Science Center) WCR (West Coast Region) OPR (Office of Protected Resources) OST (Office of Science and Technology) Submitted https://doi.org/10.25923/9cq1-rx80 Public Domain 2114