A Bayesian assessment of the west and east Australian breeding populations (stocks D and E) of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales

Abstract

A Bayesian assessment of breeding stocks D and E shows qualitatively similar results to those presented previously using maximum likelihood methodology, although (in posterior median terms) breeding stock D is indicated to be a little less recovered than in these previous assessments. Current estimates of abundance relative to pristine are shown to be somewhat sensitive to the two alternate historic catch records currently put forward for south of 40 0 S. A posterior distribution for the maximum growth rate parameter r is developed. This posterior could be used as a prior for similar Bayesian assessments of other southern hemisphere humpback populations for which little or no information on increase rates is available.