Report on discussions on modelling studies of possible interchange between the C1 and C3 breeding Substocks of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, Cape Town

Abstract

Over the week of 8-12 December, 2008, an International Stock Assessment Workshop was held under MARAM’s auspices at the University of Cape Town. This Workshop reviewed and discussed further lines of research for assessment analyses of five Southern African marine populations. One of these was Breeding Stock C of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, with a focus on modelling of possible interchange between breeding sub-stocks C1 and C3. The specific intent in the humpback case was to identify work usefully carried out prior to the IWC Intersessional Meeting (on Assessment Methodology to take account of Mixing/Interchange between Southern Hemisphere Humpback Populations) scheduled for Seattle in February 2009, so as to facilitate progress at that meeting.