(59) A Review of Humpback and Fin Whale Photo Identification

     The use of photography in science is an effective tool which helps to identify and understand less common species. The purpose of this study was to create a dataset and photo catalog of identified fin and humpback... [ view full abstract ]

     The use of photography in science is an effective tool which helps to identify and understand less common species. The purpose of this study was to create a dataset and photo catalog of identified fin and humpback whales in the Kitimat Fjord System along the coast of British Columbia, Canada. This process begins with the initial photo capture, identifying whales in the photos, sorting through and rating photo quality and then selecting the best left and right dorsal photo for each fin whale and best fluke photo for each humpback whale. These photos were triple checked by a team of researchers, and used to create an annual humpback and fin whale catalog as well as historical and cross platform catalogs. The identification and compilation of these cetacean photos allows for researchers to understand marine mammal population biology in an understudied environment. With this data, researchers can learn more about cetaceans’ abundance estimates, social associations, life history rates, population health and ship interactions. Monitoring these whale populations using photo identification will be important to their future well being given the upcoming introduction of a new shipping lane through this fjord system.