BRYDE'S WHALE

Leigh Torres, Bruce Mate

Latin name: Balaenoptera edeni

In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Auckland, a research project is underway to understand the foraging ecology and habitat use of Bryde's whales in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Here, Bryde's whales are prone to vessel strikes in this busy port, which is causing population declines. Dr. Leigh Torres and students are involved in the spatial analysis component of this project to determine whale foraging ecology and assess distribution patterns relative to shipping traffic.

More information

Publications: 

Constantine R., M. Johnson, L. Riekkola**, S. Jervis, L. Kozmian-Ledward, T. Dennis, L.G. Torres EA, F, and N. Aguilar de Soto. 2015. Sharing the waters: A comprehensive approach to mitigate vessel-strike mortality of endangered Bryde's whale in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Biological Conservation. 186, 149-157.