Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Photo: © Brent Plater
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Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback Whales received extensive media coverage following the recent sojourn of a mother and her calf, nicknamed Delta and Dawn, up the Sacramento River. Along this journey, the Humpbacks passed right under the Golden Gate, and through the waters of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Humpbacks are one of the most numerically depleted large whales, with a current population estimated at only one-tenth of the number alive before commercial whaling. These majestic animals have been protected as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act since the Act’s passage in 1973.
The northern California sub-population of Humpbacks winters off the coast of Mexico; their prime summer feeding grounds are the area off the continental shelf around the Farallon Islands, not far from the Golden Gate.
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They possess distinctively long flippers, up to one third of their body length. During the winter breeding season, males produce very long--up to thirty minutes--complex and repetitive songs. These animals have a remarkable repertory of feeding strategies, including the use of columns or nets of expelled bubbles to concentrate fish, and cooperative fishing that is thought to include auditory signaling for synchronization.
Factors limiting the recovery of the Humpback population include entanglement in fishing nets, loss of habitat due to development, collisions with ships, and pollution, which can accumulate in the species’ long-lived bodies over time.
The best time to see Humpback Whales from the GGNRA is during their migration season, from July to November. They are an acrobatic species: watch for them breeching off-shore.
Conservation Action Item
Collisions with ships are an increasing threat to many whale species: even Dawn and Delta showed scars and wounds indicative of a ship strike. In the Bay Area major shipping channels cross the Gulf of the Farallones, an important feeding ground for Humpback Whales. Contact the Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Banks, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries and ask them to implement a speed limit for large vessels when whales are present.
- To Contact the Marine Sanctuaries:
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Superintendent Dan Howard
PH:(415) 663-0314 x 102
Email: dan.howard@noaa.govGulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
Superintendent Maria Brown
PH: (415) 561 6622 x 301
Email: maria.brown@noaa.gov
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Superintendent Paul Michel
PH: (831) 647-4201
Email: paul.michel@noaa.gov
Trips
- Sunday, August 31, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Join local naturalist Matt Zlatunich for a relaxing sea watch at Fort Funston, which has some of the wildest coastal views in San Francisco. We'll be searching for some of the more elusive sea creatures that call the GGNRA home: Humpback Whale, Steller Sea Lion, and California Sea Otter! We promise to throw in a Brown Pelican or two while we are there. RSVP required: mbzlat@yahoo.com. Bring spotting scopes and binoculars if you have them; also bring water and snacks to munch on. Meet at the Fort Funston Observation Deck. Click here for directions.
- Sunday, December 14, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Join local naturalist Matt Zlatunich for a relaxing sea watch at Lands End. We'll be searching for Marbled Murrelet, Humpback Whale, Steller Sea Lion, and California Sea Otter! We promise to throw in a Brown Pelican or two while we are there. RSVP required: mbzlat@yahoo.com. Bring spotting scopes and binoculars if you have them; also bring water and snacks to munch on. Meet at Louis' Restaurant. Click here for directions.
- Sunday, December 28, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Join local naturalist Matt Zlatunich for a relaxing sea watch at Lands End. We'll be searching for Marbled Murrelet, Humpback Whale, Steller Sea Lion, and California Sea Otter! We promise to throw in a Brown Pelican or two while we are there. RSVP required: mbzlat@yahoo.com. Bring spotting scopes and binoculars if you have them; also bring water and snacks to munch on. Meet at Louis' Restaurant. Click here for directions.
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Previous Comments
Posted by: Cheryl Erb | 2008-05-23 11:06:35
I think that implementing a speed limit for ships to use when whales are present, is not enough. Maybe detours for ships to take would also help. Thank you, Cheryl Erb
Posted by: Brent | 2008-07-02 17:46:51
This past week on an Audubon Society pelagic birding trip from San Francisco to the Farallones, numerous humpback whales were seen within a few miles of shore. Now is a good time to keep your eyes peeled as you are looking to the sea. With patience and a little luck you might see a humpback breach even a few miles off shore, and you can count that as a sighting so long as you are within the legislative boundary of the GGNRA when it happens!
Posted by: Lou Sian | 2008-08-02 15:42:38
Many people up on Mori Point and the Pacifica pier got a chance to see a pod of whales at around 2 pm on July 26. I\'m not certain, but they could have been humpback whales. They appeared to be feeding, and the people on the pier said they had been out there since 7 a.m. Pacifica has had several days of cold followed by a beautiful, warm day on July 26. These are good conditions for upwelling, so I\'m told.
Posted by: Brent Plater | 2008-09-02 23:28:13
The 8/31 GGNRA Endangered Species Big Year sea watch participants got to see at least one, and probably two, humpback whales for several hours at Fort Funston! On 9/2 nearby, a Marbled Murrelet was seen! Keep your eyes peeled!
Posted by: bree | 2008-09-03 19:48:46
they should just stop killing whales because a life without whales 2 me is very sad
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