Baleias-jubarte (Megaptera novaeangliae) migram anualmente desde as águas frias dos polos, onde alimentam-se de krill e pequenos peixes, em direção a regiões tropicais e subtropicais em busca de ambientes favoráveis para reprodução e cria de filhotes. Ainda pouco conhecidos são os casos de baleias-jubarte alimentando-se em áreas de reprodução. Nesse trabalho relatamos as primeiras observações em campo de uma baleia juvenil – yearling, em provável comportamento de forrageamento buscando por prováveis crustáceos ou cefalópodes em curtos mergulhos fundos. São relatadas outras observações semelhantes nas quais das baleias pareciam aproximar-se de redes de emalhe, provavelmente atraídas por peixes ali enredados e disponíveis. Considera-se que em alguns desses casos a aproximação das baleias em direção às redes tenha causado emalhamentos, que pelo menos em um caso o exemplar libertou-se das redes. Em outros casos as redes podem ter causados ferimentos e lesões nas baleias-jubarte. Recomenda-se um acompanhamento dessas interações pela costa brasileira a longo prazo para uma melhor avaliação dessas interações.Palavras-chave: Baleia-jubarte; Enredamento; Forrageamento; Brasil.ABSTRACTHumpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate annually from the cold waters of the poles, where they feed on krill, towards subtropical and tropical regions in search of favorable environments for breeding and calving. Cases of humpback whales feeding on breeding grounds are still poorly known in the world. This study reports field observations of a juvenile whale - yearling, in Brazilian waters, with evidence of foraging behavior, in search of prey that seemed to be prawn or squid, during short dives. In addition, other similar observations are reported in southeastern Brazil in which the whales showed interest and approach gillnets, probably attracted by entangled fish. In some of these cases, it is considered that whale approaching towards the nets has caused entanglements, and in at least one case the specimen freed itself from nets. In other cases, nets may have caused humpback whale injuries. A follow-up of these interactions throughout the Brazilian coast is recommendedfor a better evaluation of these interactions with fishing nets, since they may represent a new form of behavior of these whales in their migratory period.
Vessel collisions are an important threat to several cetacean species, both large and small. In addition to negatively affecting the animals themselves, collisions can also damage or sink vessels, threatening both human safety and marine industry economics.
Larger cetaceans seem to be the most affected by vessel collisions, and vessel strikes with Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera brydei/Balaenoptera edeni) have been reported worldwide.
Long‐term photo‐identification research on Bryde's whales off the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, has been continuing since 2016. Of the 67 individuals that were photo‐identified between 2004 and January 2022, three (4%) presented scars compatible with injuries from vessel propellers. These data contribute towards an understanding of the long‐term effects of collision injuries on the behaviour and survival of Bryde's whales.
This report is intended to help inform the future evaluation of the conservation status of B. brydei off Brazil.
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