Document: Article
Abstract: The waters off the north coast of São Paulo, Brazil, are used by several species of cetaceans, but little is known about their populations and habits. Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei) are commonly sighted in this region, and the presence of this species has been monitored by the Baleia à Vista Project (PROBAV). A total of 106 Bryde’s whale sightings were made between 2004 and 2019, comprising 163 individuals. From these, it was possible to catalog 44 individuals using the photo-identification technique, including four resightings in this period. In addition to this first published catalog of Bryde’s whales off the north coast of São Paulo, whale behavior data and usage patterns are also presented. All these data reinforce the importance of the protection of these coastal waters and the conservation and knowledge of this yet poorly known species of tropical whale.
Key Words: Bryde’s whales, Balaenoptera brydei, Brazil, photo-identification, catalog, cetaceans
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.46.5.2020.488
Page Numbers: 488-501