Do whale‐watching vessels affect the distribution of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Península Valdés, Chubut, Argentina?: Using the COVID ‐19 lockdown as a case study

Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Península Valdés, Argentina, showed significant shifts in their distribution during the COVID-19 lockdown, suggesting that whale-watching vessel activity may influence their behavior. The study analyzed data from 2019 (pre-pandemic), 2020 (during lockdown with minimal vessel traffic), and 2021 (post-lockdown) to compare core and home ranges of whales, including mother-calf pairs. Results indicated that the absence of whale-watching vessels in 2020 led to increased overlap in core areas, particularly for mother-calf pairs, implying that human activity may alter their spatial patterns. The research highlights the potential ecological impact of tourism on marine mammals and underscores the importance of monitoring such interactions.

Fernández, S. J., Chalcobsky, B. A., Marchesi, M. C., Sueyro, N., Tortolini, V. M., & Coscarella, M. A. (2024). Do whale‐watching vessels affect the distribution of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Península Valdés, Chubut, Argentina?: Using the COVID‐19 lockdown as a case study. Marine Mammal Science, 41(3). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13212