A Bayesian approach to assess the status of Southern hemipshere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with an application to Breeding Stock G

Abstract

The Bayesian stock assessment methodology presently being applied in the Comprehensive Assessment of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, which uses a sex- and age-aggregated population model, is detailed. This methodology is applied to Breeding Stock G, which winters off the west coast of South America. This application takes into account the recently updated historic catch series, as well as the most recent estimates of absolute abundance and population trend information.