Survey shows drop in humpback whale numbers

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Wellington - The number of humpback whales in the South Pacific is continuing to

drop, an annual survey that follows the species' movements said Wednesday.

 

The two-week survey by the Department of Conservation monitors humpback whales

passing through New Zealand's Cook Strait, on their way to breeding grounds in

the South Pacific.

 

Helped by retired whalers, only 14 whales were spotted compared with 18 at the

same time last year and 47 in 2004.

 

" It's probably just a year-to-year variation, but it is disappointing, "

scientist Simon Childerhouse told the New Zealand Herald,

 

Childerhouse estimated the population of humpbacks in the southern Pacific and

off the east Australian coast was about 300, or 20 percent of what it was in

1960.

 

Japan's announced plan to kill 50 humpbacks next year in an extension of its

so-called " scientific whaling " research programme could be catastrophic,

Childerhouse said.

 

Meanwhile, it was reported that conservation staff failed in an attempt to

release a distressed humpback entangled in lobster pot lines off Kaikoura, on

the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, on Sunday.

 

Specialists had to abandon efforts to remove a rope, two buoys and a lobster pot

wrapped around the creature after four hours, the Herald said.

 

The whale swam off and an appeal was made to members of the public to report

further sightings, so that another attempt to free it could be made. - Sapa-dpa