Distribution and movements of West Indian humpback whales in winter.

Megaptera novaeangliae wintering in the West Indies are principally found over banks at latitudes between 10o and 22oN, have substantial areas of flat bottom between 15-60 m deep, and lie less than 30 km from the North Atlantic 2000 m contour. The surface sea temperatures in these areas are 24-28oC. The major concentrations of the humpbacks, which feed little in winter, are on Silver and Navidad banks. On Silver Bank the humpback and humpback song densities peak in the centre of the Bank. Mothers with calves are generally found in areas of calm water, and singers are found over areas with a flat bottom, where they meander slowly. Larger groups move considerably faster and in straighter lines. There is no evidence of whales possessing particular movement patterns, preferred ranges, or territories within the Bank.-from Authors