Distribution and abundance of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, off the coast of Mozambique, 2003

A line-transect survey conducted off the coast of Mozambique in 2003 estimated the population of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and unidentified large whales to be approximately 6,808 individuals within a surveyed area of 14,029.5 square nautical miles. This estimate suggests a potential increase from earlier surveys in the early 1990s. The survey, spanning from Cabo Inhaca to north of Mozambique Island, revealed higher sighting densities between Cabo Inhaca and Xai-Xai, as well as around the Pantaloon and David Shoals northeast of Quelimane, with lower densities over the Sofala Banks. Whales were predominantly found in waters with higher salinity, possibly due to turbidity from river input. Cow-calf pairs were distributed across the entire region. The study utilized 951.8 nautical miles of search effort, primarily in passing mode due to high whale densities.

Findlay, K., Meyer, M., Elwen, S., Kotze, D., Johnson, R., Truter, P., Uamasse, C., Sitoe, S., Wilke, C., Kerwath, S., Swanson, S., Staverees, L., & Derwesthuizen, J. V. (2020). Distribution and abundance of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, off the coast of Mozambique, 2003. J. Cetacean Res. Manage., 163–174. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.vi3.327