Southern right whale Eubalaena australis in Golfo San Matías (Patagonia, Argentina): Evidence of recolonisation

Research indicates that the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) population in Golfo San Matías, Patagonia, Argentina, is experiencing recolonization and a positive growth trend following decades of recovery after the international hunting moratorium. Aerial surveys from 2007 to 2016 revealed a shift in geographic distribution, with whales increasingly using the northwest coast of the gulf, particularly between late August and early September. Unlike Península Valdés, where mother-calf pairs dominate, Golfo San Matías is primarily used by solitary individuals and breeding groups, suggesting its importance for socializing and mating rather than as a nursery ground. Whale density in this area was found to be four times lower than in the gulfs of Península Valdés. The study also confirmed historical presence during commercial exploitation, contributing valuable insights for the conservation and management of southern right whales in Patagonia.

Arias, M., Coscarella, M. A., Romero, M. A., Sueyro, N., Svendsen, G. M., Crespo, E. A., & González, R. A. C. (2018). Southern right whale Eubalaena australis in Golfo San Matías (Patagonia, Argentina): Evidence of recolonisation. Plos One, 13(12), e0207524. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207524