Whales' plight sparks appeal for sightings

Researchers fearing New Zealand's population of southern right whales is in peril want to know of any sightings around the coast.

There are thought to be about 30, with possibly only four females of breeding age, but information from the public could show that even this estimate may be toooptimistic.

Last year 12 genetic samples were taken from several southern right whales around New Zealand, largely thanks to tips from the public, Department of Conservation marine mammal co-ordinator Rob Suisted said yesterday.

Many good photographs had been taken for individual identification, he said.

"We know we had at least nine individuals visit New Zealand last year. If we see the same individuals this year, then maybe our population estimate is too high. If we see different whales, then the situation may be better than we had thought."

While 410 of the whales, known as tohora, had been identified near subantarctic islands south of New Zealand, they were not known to overlap with the mainland population, suggesting it may be a separate population or subspecies.

"If this is true, New Zealand's southern right whale is in serious peril. We urgently need more information about this population to improve our ability to protect them from being hit by ships and entangled in fishing gear."

The whales were most likely to be seen around the coast between June and September, when they might come close to shore.

Once thought to number 16,000 in New Zealand waters, including the subantarctic, right whales had all but disappeared by 1860 because of whaling.

In one winter season, in 1836, at least 97 were killed by crews from three whaling ships in Lyttelton Harbour alone.

Southern right whale sightings should be reported to Doc, preferably as soon as possible after the sighting is made. Doc needs to know the date, time and location of the sighting, the number of whales, whether there are any calves, and the direction of travel.

Photos help to identify individual whales, especially of the left side of the head, and of the full body length.

Adults are on average 14.5m long, and newborn calves, between 4.5m and 6m.

They are mostly black, and can be identified by their lack of a dorsal fin, their v-shaped blowhole spray, and white growths on their heads called callosities. Each whale has a unique pattern of these growths.

Southern right whales

* Once abundant around New Zealand's coast, the southern right whale population has fallen from an estimated 16,000 in the early 19th century to 30 or less.

* The species has never recovered from intensive hunting. Right whales were so called because they were the "right" whales to kill - large, slow-moving beasts that obligingly floated when dead and yielded large amounts of valuable oil.

* Sightings can be reported on 0800 DOCHOT (0800 36 24 68)

- NZPA