Publications

C. Garrigue,R. Dodemont, D. Stell, C.S. Baker. (2004) Organismal and "gametic" capture-recapture using microsatellites genotyping confirm low abundance and reproductive autonomy of humpback whales on the wintering grounds of New Caledonia. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 274: 251-262.

Garrigue C. and Greaves J. 2001. Cetacean records for the New Caledonian area. Micronesica 34 (1): 27-33.

Greaves J. and Garrigue C. 1999. First record of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in New Caledonia, South pacific. Memoirs of Queensland Museum, 43 (2) : 588.

Gill P., Eyre E.J., Garrigue C. and Dawbin W.H. 1995. Observations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on a cruise to New Caledonia and the Chesterfield reefs. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 38 (2) : 505-511.

Garrigue C. and Gill P. 1994. Observations of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in New Caledonian waters during 1991-1993. Biological Conservation 70 : 211-218.

Garrigue C. and Ross G. 1996. A record of the subantarctic fur seal, Artocephalus tropicalis, from Madagascar, Indian Ocean. Marine Mammal Science 12 (4) : 624-627.

Schaffar A. and Garrigue C. 2006. Whale watching activities in the Southern Lagoon of New Caledonia: current status and evolution since 1995. European Cetacean Society

Garrigue C., Greaves, M. and Chambellant M. 2000. Characteristic of the New Caledonian humpback whales population. Humpback 2000 conference, august to 1 september 2000, Brisbane, Australia.

Garrigue C., Virly S. 2000. Whale watching in New Caledonia : a new industry. Humpback 2000 conference, 29 august to 1 september 2000, Brisbane, Australia (poster).

Helweg D., Cato D., Florez-Gonzales L., Garrigue C., Jenner C., Jenner M., Noad M. and Rosenbaum H. 2000. Geographic variation in 1996 humpback whale songs. Humpback 2000 conference, 29 august to 1 september 2000, Brisbane, Australia (poster).

Garrigue C. and Greaves J. 1998. Biodiversité des mammifères marins de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Conférence pour l'eau et l'environnement. Pouembout, Nouvelle-Calédonie. Juillet 1998.

Greaves J. and Garrigue C. 1998. Preliminary estimation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in New Caledonia, South Pacific. World Marine Mammal Science Conference, Monaco, january 1998.

Garrigue C., Clua E., Breitenstein D. 2003. identification of a pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) in New Caledonia, South West Pacific. IWC. SC/55/H4.

Garrigue C., Baker C.S., Dodemont R. and Steel D. 2002. Estimating the abundance of humpback whales in New Caledonia using DNA genotyping and photo-identification. IWC, SC/54/H9.

Garrigue C., Aguayo, A., Baker, C.S., Caballero, S., Clapham, P., Constantine, R., Denkinger, J., Donoghue M., Florez-Gonzalez, L., Greaves, J., Hauser, N., Olavarria, C., Pairoa, C., Peckham, H., and Poole, M. 2000a. Movements of humpback whales in Oceania, South Pacific. SC/52/IA6

Garrigue C. and Greaves, J. 2000. The status of humpback whales in New Caledonia (South Pacific). SC/52/IA8.

Rosenbaum H.C., Y. Razafindrakoto, L. Florez-Gonzalez, J. Capella, C. Garrigue, J. Greaves, C. Jenner, M-N., Jenner, M.R. Robles-saavedra, R. DeSalle and C.S. Baker. 1998. Variation and geographic structure of humpback whale mitochondrial DNA from the wintering grounds of Areas III, IV, V and VI in the Southern Hemisphere. IWC SC/50/CAWS35.

Organismal and "gametic" capture-recapture using microsatellites genotyping confirm low abundance and reproductive autonomy of humpback whales on the wintering grounds of New Caledonia.
The abundance and reproductive autonomy of humpback whales from the New Caledonia wintering grounds were investigated using capture-recapture models and paternity inference based on nuclear microsatellite genotyping, mitochondrial DNA sequencing, molecular sex identification and photographs of natural markings (photo-identification). The analyses included records of 213 individuals (excluding 16 calves used in paternity inference) identified by genotypes (9 loci), and 210 identified by fluke photographs, collected from 1995 to 2001. By comparing records of 175 individuals identified using both genotypes and photographs, a small number of errors were detected (and corrected) in the photo-identification catalogue and in the field and laboratory notes of the genotypes. Using the weighted mean of the Petersen capture-recapture model, the estimate of abundance based on genotyping (N = 533, CV = 0.15) was larger than the estimate based on photo-identification (N = 327, CV = 0.11). Sex-specific estimates of abundance based on genotypes were similar for males and females although the variance of the female estimate was greater (Nm = 288, CV = 0.18; Nf = 248, CV = 0.30). The paternity of five calves from 16 sampled cow/calf pairs was inferred from the total sample of 133 non-calf males (one offspring each). The 16 sampled cow/calf pairs and the five inferred paternities were used for an alternate ‘gametic recapture’ estimate of male abundance. This gametic recapture estimate (Nm = 379, CV = 0.30) was similar to the sex-specific estimate based on the organismal recapture using a two-sample model (Nm = 382, CV = 0.22). The close agreement of the organismal and gametic recapture estimates support the assumption that this humpback whale wintering ground represents an autonomous population unit that is relatively closed to demographic and reproductive interchange. The small size of this breeding unit highlights the slow recovery of some populations following intensive 20th century commercial and illegal Soviet whaling.

Trace elements in two odontocete species (Kogia breviceps and Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded in New Caledonia (South Pacific).
Liver, muscle and blubber tissues of two short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and two pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) stranded on the coast of New Caledonia have been analysed for twelve trace elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, organic and total Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, V, Zn). Liver is shown to be the most important accumulator organ for Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Se, and Zn in both species, exhibiting the short-finned pilot whales the highest Cd, Hg, Se and Zn levels. In this species, concentrations of total Hg are particularly elevated reaching up to 1452 ?g.g-1 dwt, in which only a very low percentage is under organic form. In both species, the levels of Hg are directly related to Se. Thus, a molar ratio of Hg:Se close to 1.0 is found for all specimens, except for the youngest K. breviceps. These results suggest that short-finned pilot whales have a physiology allowing to accumulate high levels of naturally occurring toxic elements. Furthermore, concentrations of Ni, Cr and Co are close or below the detection limit in the liver and muscles of all specimens showing that mining activity in New Caledonia, which typically elevates the levels of these contaminants in the marine environment, seems not to be a significant source of contamination for these pelagic marine mammals.
Movements of humpback whales in Oceania, South Pacific.
To investigate movements of humpback whales among breeding and migratory areas of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean, comparisons of individually identified whales were undertaken using catalogues from New Caledonia, Tonga, New Zealand, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. These locations probably represent wintering grounds or migratory areas for the Group V and VI stocks, as recognized by the International Whaling Commission for management purposes. Comparisons were also made to small samples of photos from Colombia, Ecuador and the Antarctic Peninsula, representing wintering and feeding grounds of the Group I stock. Overall, the combined catalogues contained photographs of 912 individual whales, 767 of which were from Oceania {insert comma and remove the parentheses}. Twelve fluke matches were made, indicating movement between the following areas: New Caledonia and New Zealand (2), New Caledonia and Tonga (6, plus one made by dorsal fin), Tonga and the Cook Islands (2), the Cook Islands and French Polynesia (1, plus one made by dorsal fin), and between Ecuador and the Antarctic Peninsula (1). These results add to previously known connections between eastern Australia and the westerly component of Oceania (New Caledonia, Tonga and New Zealand). The data also suggest little movement between Oceania and Area I (western South America and the Antarctic Peninsula), although sample sizes for the latter region were too small to conclude this with certainty. The documented movement of some whales among portions of Oceania indicates that stock assessments based on combining regional estimates of abundance are likely to be positively biased, although this may be countered by problems of heterogeneity in sampling effort and whale distribution. In contrast with the recovery exhibited in Area IV and in the western portion of Area V, humpback whale abundance appears to remain low in Oceania, presumably because of overexploitation in the feeding grounds of Area VI and the easterly component of Area V.

Characteristics of the New Caledonian humpback whale population.
Data collected from 1995 to 2000 in the lagoon of New Caledonia showed that between June and November this area is used as a breeding and calving ground for humpback whales. The peak of season abundance is in August. Analyses of photo-identification data and of acoustic recordings suggest that this population is a component of the Group V stock. To date, 206 humpback have been individually identified. Photo-ID comparisons proved migratory movements between New Caledonia and Eastern Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand, and New Caledonia and Tonga. The constant increase in re-sightings of previously identified individuals from 1996 to 1998 suggests that the population is not very large. A population of 314 (? 72) individuals was estimated using a weighted mean of the Petersen estimate. The crude birth rate was calculated to range between 3.4 and 10% per year. Analyses of the social structure of the population showed that the most commonly encountered pod types are single whales (39%) and pods of two whales (31%). Their occurrences were greater in August and July. Reproductive groups (16%) and cow and calf pairs (11%) were most often observed in August. The size structure of the population was dominated by large whales (83%). The maximum length of stay of 60 days was observed for a male. A sex-ratio of 1:9 in favour of males was calculated. A very low number of whales was observed in 1999, and a small number of reproductive groups. A future study will be carried out in collaboration with researchers working in other areas of the South Pacific in order to improve our knowledge of humpback whales throughout the region.

Cetacean records for the New Caledonian area (Southwest Pacific Ocean).
We report the results of opportunistics signhtings collected over a 9-year period. These observations add 9 species to the previously known from New Caledonia, bringing the total number of cetaceans identified in this are to 13. They are : Minke whale, Baleanoptera acutorostrata (Lacépède, 1804); Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758); Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus (Gray, 1846); Killer whale, Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758); Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821); Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris (Gray, 1828); Spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata (Gray, 1846); Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus (Cuvier, 1812); and Blainville's beaked whale, Mesoplodon densirostris (de Blainville, 1817).

Movements of humpback whales in Oceania.
In order to investigate the movements of humpback whales among the breeding grounds and migratory corridors of Oceania in the South Pacific, comparisons of individually identified whales using photo-ID were carried out during two four-days meeting at the University of Auckland in April 2000 and 2001.
The catalogues from French Polynesia, the Cook islands, Tonga, New Zealand and New Caledonia totalling all together 773 photos, were used.
Twelve flukes matches were made between the following areas : New Caledonia and New Zealand (2), New Caledonia and Tonga (6, plus one by dorsal fin), Tonga and the Cook Islands (2), the Cook Islands and French Polynesia (1, plus one by dorsal fin).
The comparisons of photographic catalog provided the first evidence of migratory return and interchange among many of the breeding grounds of Oceania. These results add to the previously known connections between eastern Australia and the westerly component of Oceania (New Caledonia, Tonga and New Zealand).
However, the abundance of humpback whales throughout this region, much of which is included in the proposed South Pacific Sanctuary, appears low and any recovery from the intensive exploitation of the last century has been slow.
Here it seems that humpback whales are much like the people of Oceania, maintaining unique cultural identity within island groups while sharing low levels of exchange across the vast distances of ocean.

Heavy metals contains in two odontocetes (Kogia breviceps and Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded in New Caledonia (South Pacific).
The liver, muscle and blubber of two short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and two pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) stranded on the coast of New Caledonia were analysed for eleven heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, V, Zn). Morphological measurements, stomach contents and teeth were also collected to determine health status, diet and age. Liver was the most important accumulator organ for Hg, Se, Zn, Cd and Fe. The highest levels of Hg, Se, Zn, and Cd were found in the liver of the two pilot whales. The concentration of Hg was much higher (i.e. reaching 1452 %g.g-1 dw) than that reported in the literature. In both species, the levels of Hg were correlated positively with Se, thus a molar ratio of Se:Hg close to 1.0 was found for all specimens, except the youngest male of K. breviceps (6 years old). Comparing among the old individuals (from 12 to 19 years old), overall exposure to Hg appeared to be more elevated for G. macrorhynchus than for K. breviceps, with higher Hg concentrations in the muscle. This suggests that fish are an significant prey item for G. macrorhynchus since fish are considered to be the main Me-Hg source for marine top predators. This finding was confirmed by the stomach content analysis. Cephalopods may also be important in their diet since they are know to concentrate Cd and G. macrorhynchus had very high Cd concentrations in the liver (255 to 464 µg.g-1 dw). These results suggest pilot whales have a physiology that allows them to accumulate high levels of naturally occurring toxic elements. Further, concentrations of Ni, Cr and Co were below the detection limit in all specimens, suggesting that mining activity in New Caledonia, which elevates the levels of these contaminants, is not a significant source of contamination.

Migratory movement of humpback whales (megaptera novaeangliae) bewteen New Caledonia, east Australia and New Zealand.
‘Discovery’ marks and their recoveries of humpback whales in the southwest Pacific provide no evidence of migratory interchange between wintering grounds in New Caledonia and migratory corridors off east Australia (Moreton Island) and New Zealand or wintering grounds in Tonga. To provide further insight into the migratory connections among these regions, images of 169 individually-identified humpback whales from New Caledonia were compared with the published catalogues of Australian (N = 1088), Tongan (N = 78) and New Zealand (N = 1) humpback whales. Four of the New Caledonian humpbacks were found to have migrated past east Australia and one past New Zealand in separate years. No movement was found between New Caledonia and Tonga.
These data provide the first photographic information on exchanges between regions of the south west Pacific. The data, reviewed in light of historical records, highlight the necessity for further research in the South Pacific region to resolve the question of the proposed segregation of the Southern Hemisphere Group V stock into an eastern group (New Zealand and the Pacific Islands) and a western group (east Australia).

Observations of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in New Caledonian waters during 1991-1993.
Recent sightings confirm that humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae migrate to New Caledonia. Totals of 37 and 73 incidental sightings were made during the winter and spring of 1991 and 1992 respectively. Sightings were distributed widely all around New Caledonia, but concentrated in the south, mainly around Noumea, Ile des Pins and the Southeast Lagoon, areas with the highest human visitation. Very young calves were photographed in some sightings.
Encouraged by the number of sightings, in August 1993 we commenced a programme of photo-identification and behavioural observation in the Southeast Lagoon. In 5 days of field work, 12 humpback whales were individually identified. One of these was a resight of an animal previously photographed off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in 1991. This supports the hypothesis that humpback whales migrating to New Caledonia are from Antarctic Area V stock.
"Surface active" group behaviour, typical of male competition for females in breeding areas, was also noted, and humpback whale song was detected on every day that we monitored for it in the study area. Several juvenile animals were also observed. We interpret these observations as strong evidence that humpback whales mate and calve in New Caledonian waters.

Observations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on a cruise to New Caledonia and the Chesterfield reefs.
During a yacht-based survey in the austral winter of 1992, low numbers of humpback whales were observed around the main island of New Caledonia, and humpback song was recorded there. The song, the first recorded in New Caledonian waters, showed similarities to song recorded off eastern Australia. No humpback whales were detected at Chesterfield Reefs in the eastern Coral Sea, despite their possible status as a breeding area. Only a small portion on the Chesterfield Plateau was surveyed. Reports of sightings there in recent years indicate at least occasional visitation by humpback whales.

Preliminary estimation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in New Caledonia.
Humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, have been studied in the waters of New Caledonia in the South West Pacific (22°S, 166° E) since 1991. Aims of the study are to estimate the size of the population, and, to determine whether the whales return to the site year after year. Of the animals identified in 1996, 19% were re-sightings of animals previously photo-identified, an increase from the 7% re-sighting rate of 1995. This, along with preliminary population estimates, implies that the population is small. A Jolly-Seber estimate for 1995 was 126 ± 100, while a Petersen Estimate with Chapman modification for the same year was 243 ± 97.

Geographic variation in South Pacific humpback whale songs.
Every winter, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) produce long complex songs. Song content is dynamic and singers incorporate changes as they occur, thus song is shared through cultural transmission. We compared songs recorded in winter migratory termini in Tonga, New Caledonia, Eastern Australia, and on migration paths off Eastern Australia and New Zealand, in the winter 1994. Seven themes were shared by all regions, with additional two themes shared by all but Tonga. Differences in regional variants were most pronounced between Tongan and Eastern Australian song. New Caledonian and Kaikouran song were more similar to songs from eastern australia rather than Tonga. These regionals differences were stable across the season. The results suggest some migratory exchange among widely separate wintering regions of Area V, consistent with tag recovery data, but the time and location at which song sharing occurs remains speculative.

Whale watching in New Caledonia : a new industry.
Commercial whale watching cruises began in 1995. At that time 3 tourists operators completed only a few day cruises during the entire season from July to September. Since that time this commercial activity has grown. In 1999, 141 cruises were realised by 19 boats for more than 1984 persons mainly originated from New Caledonia. The direct economic value has reached 13 millions FCFP.
The activity of whale watching is limited to one species: the humpback whales that migrate to New Caledonia in winter to breed. This activity is located in the southern part of the lagoon close to a sheltered bay, overhung by terrestrial observational points, in an area that presents a rich and well preserved natural marine and terrestrial environment favourable to the development of ecotourism.
The success of sighting whales varied from 50 to 80 % that is why whale watching is often associated with others activities like sailing or scuba-diving, so as to be more attractive to people.
Guidelines “how to approach the whales” have been published in 1999 by the Province South, but New Caledonia currently lacks any policy or management plan concerning humpback whales within it's territorial waters and perhaps more importantly, there is a complete absence of legislation concerning cetaceans in New Caledonia. Issues that need to be addressed are the present uncontrolled development of the whale watching industry and the impact of human activities on the well-being of the local humpback whale population (e.g. Pollution and maritime traffic).

Impact of the human activities in short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) of the South West Pacific ocean by mesuring Cs-137, K-40 and Pb-210.
Radioactivity occurs naturally in the environment, however some artificial radionuclides have also been introduced since the 60’s. One of the most widespread is the isotope 137-Cs the source of which is the global atmospheric fallout generated from airbone nuclear explosions. In the more recent past the Chernobyl nuclear accident injected important amounts of artificial radioactivity in the Northern hemisphere. The analyses of long-lived artificial and natural redionuclides can be used as tracers of the global human impact on the marine environment. In particular 137-Cs and 210-Pb have been traced in muscle tissues and the livers of whales stranded along the coast of New Caledonia. The highest concentrations of 137-Cs were systematically found in the muscle tissues (0.08 to 0.26 Bq/kg wet wt) in agreement with the literature values. However an exception was observed in a pregnant female whose liver showed concentrations similar to those measured in its muscle. Despite the relatively low number of cetaceans sampled, globally the concentrations in 137-Cs are at least two times lower than those observed in the animals netted in the Northern hemisphere. This results probably reflects the differences in the nuclear past (weapons testing, nuclear plant accidents) between the two hemispheres.

Whale watching activities in the Southern Lagoon of New Caledonia: current status and evolution since 1995

Alors que le whale watching a longtemps été considéré comme une industrie viable, il a aujourd’hui rejoint la liste des menaces potentielles qui pèsent sur les dauphins et les baleines. Plusieurs études ont en effet montré que la présence de bateaux est susceptible d’affecter le comportement des animaux, d’où l’importance d’étudier les populations soumises à ce genre d’activités. Le whale watching en Nouvelle Calédonie n’a cessé de croître depuis ses débuts en 1995, et est devenu une activité très populaire. Cette industrie se concentre sur l’observation d’une petite population de baleines à bosse venant passer l’hiver dans le lagon Sud afin de s’y reproduire. Il n’existe à l’heure actuelle aucune réglementation contrôlant cette activité croissante. Une étude pilote a été conduite du 14 Juillet au 4 Septembre 2005 afin d’évaluer les activités de whale watching dans le lagon Sud. Une station de recherche terrestre équipée d’un théodolite a été installée au point de vue du Cap Ndoua afin de suivre le déplacement des baleines et des bateaux dans la zone. Le nombre de bateaux commerciaux, le nombre de sorties ainsi que le nombre de passagers a été comparé aux données historiques recueillies depuis 1995. Le nombre de sorties est passé de 19 en 1995 à 238 en 2005. Le nombre de passagers est passé de 129 en 1995 à 3109 en 2005. Alors qu’il n’y avait que 3 bateaux commerciaux en 1995, 18 bateaux ont proposé des sorties de whale watching en 2005. Une moyenne de 2,29 bateaux étaient présents dans un périmètre de 1000 m autour des baleines, et cela pendant 69,3% du temps. Ces résultats indiquent que les baleines à bosse utilisant le lagon Sud de Nouvelle Calédonie pendant les mois d’hiver sont très fréquemment exposées à la présence de bateaux. Dû au développement constant de cette industrie, cette population de baleines est à même d’être confrontée à une exposition accrue dans les années à venir. De plus amples recherches sont nécessaires afin d’évaluer l’effet potentiel des bateaux sur le comportement des baleines, et d’instaurer une réglementation adaptée à cette population.

Publications scientifiques - Scientific papers