Radio tagging report of finback and humpback whales

Abstract

Two finbacks (Balaenoptera physalus) and three humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were tagged and tracked in Prince William Sound, Alaska (1 - 30 June 1978) with 27 and 30-MHz radio tags. The implantation of the tag was found to be essentially identical for the two species. The whales returned to apparently normal routines within a short time of tagging. The 1978 radio whale tags remained in place for only two to three weeks, generally protruding more and more with time. There was no evidence of infection. The radio signal provided positive identification of the tagged whales and permitted tracks of the whales movement as well as detailed studies of their behavior.