Humpback whale counts from shore in Mozambique and Reunion
Mozambique
In addition to participating to the Synchronised Whale Watching Day, Zavora Marine Lab (Mozambique) has consistently maintained surveys from the shore for 15 years, with counts being organised twice a week (Van Driessche et al., 2020). The results of these surveys for 2021-2024 (since Covid) are summarised in the table and figure below:
– 2022 had the highest average whale sightings, even with the lowest number of surveys
– 2021 and 2024 had lower averages than 2022 and 2023, especially in July, August, September
– No survey data for October 2021 and 2022 – no volunteers
– Having volunteers to assist with surveys dramatically enhances the Lab’s ability to survey and collect data
Reunion
Visual surveys from shore were initiated in 2023, to contribute to the Synchronised Counting Day. This was boosted in 2024 to surveys on a monthly basis during the season, in order to provide a comparable measure of whale occurrence within the region, in addition to the surveys at sea conducted by GLOBICE. The surveys were organised in mid-July, August and September at three sites around the Reunion island and involved 33 Globice volunteers taking turns to survey during the whole day (from sunrise to sunset), weather permitting. An average of 121 whales was counted per day. Comparatively, the number of whales was similar than those reported from Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique during that period.
Contributors : Nakia Cullan, Juliette Drevelle
