Cape Coastal Waters IMMA

Criterion B: Distribution and Abundance

Sub-criterion B2: Aggregations

Annual aggregations of cow-calf pairs and unaccompanied adult southern right whales in the extreme nearshore waters of the southern Cape coast of South Africa between June and November each year. Aerial surveys (mid-October) have been conducted along this coast (Muizenberg to Natures Valley or Woody Cape) annually since 1969 with surveys since 1979 aimed at photo-identification of encountered cow–calf pairs (1969 – 1987: fixed-wing surveys; 1979 onwards – helicopter surveys) and the population has been estimated to be increasing at a rate of about 7% a year since 1969 (Best, 1990; Best et al., 2001). However, densities of unaccompanied adults have declined markedly since 2009 (to approximately 10% of pre-2009 levels), and while densities of cow-calf pairs declined markedly in the 2015 to 2017 period (Findlay et al., 2017, Vermeulen et al., 2018), these increased to expected levels in 2018 (Vermeulen, 2019). Whilst no movements have been recorded between this South African and the Argentine calving grounds, movements have been recorded through photo-identification between South Africa and the Tristan da Cunha/ Gough Island complex (Best et al., 1993) and between the South African Cape coast and Namibian waters (Roux et al., 2015). The South African population (along with animals on Namibian and Mozambique grounds) was almost extirpated due to (predominantly open-boat) whaling pressure between about 1778 and 1940 (Best and Ross 1986; Richards and Du Pasquier, 1989).

Criterion C: Key Life Cycle Activities

Sub-criterion C1: Reproductive Areas

One of three identified major calving and nursery grounds of the species in the Southern Hemisphere, along with Peninsula Valdez, Argentina and the southern West Australia / western South Australia coasts (IWC 2001). Although mating, calving and nursing behaviours have been suggested for these migrations, the recent paucity of unaccompanied adult animals sightings on the coast in 2017 and the high cow-calf numbers in 2018 suggests mating may be occurring elsewhere. Births generally occur between mid-June and mid-October, with a peak in August (Best 1994). Within the distribution, right whales appear to preferentially occupy certain coastal areas, with a general westward movement along the coast as the breeding season progresses. Right whale cows show a high degree of phylopatry (to the coast of their birth) and a lesser degree of fidelity to a particular nursery area on this coast (Elwen et al., 2004). Highest densities of cow-calf pairs are recorded between Cape Agulhas and the Duivenhoks River Mouth (Struisbaai, De Hoop, St Sebastian Bay), while unaccompanied adult densities peak in Walker and False Bays to the west of the survey area (Best, 2000). Recently densities of right whales in the eastern extent of the proposed IMMA (Plettenberg Bay to Algoa Bay) have declined. Most cow and calf pairs are encountered within about 0.9 km from the coast (Best 1990), with unaccompanied adults found slightly further offshore, but within 3 km from the coast. Elwen (2004) suggests this distributional preference is for sheltered, shallow, low-relief waters of sedimentary substrate that are protected from open-ocean swell and seasonal winds.