Oceania humpback whales across the Samoan archipelago: Habitat use and human cultural connections in a recovering population

Abstract

Humans have been integrally connected with other animals as they interact in the same environments and contribute to ecosystem function. However, recently people have become more disconnected from nature with a shift to more urban living. As Pacific peoples have endured for thousands of years on islands, relationships between all living beings and with their environment have developed and this knowledge has been handed down inter-generationally. Historically, there have been strong cultural connections between whales and Pacific peoples in which they are closely tied to Pacific voyaging narratives and seasonal changes. The Oceania region, South Pacific, is a key sub-tropical, austral winter breeding habitat for several sub-populations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). These whales were close to extinction after unsustainable levels of commercial whaling in the 20th century, leading to very few sightings of once abundant whales in Samoan waters. To understand the relationships between Samoan people and their natural environment; we need to understand the Samoan concept of Vā or the relational time and space between, that mediates people’s relationships with one another and their environments. Across the Pacific region, this close relationship (physical and spiritual) between people and their natural environment has always existed and is essential for their survival and for future generations. The main aims of this thesis are to 1) examine the cultural connections Samoans have with whales, and 2) examine the spatial distribution and habitat use of humpback whales in Samoa and American Samoa. Whale Perception Surveys (n = 37) and focused cultural interviews (n = 8) were conducted in the villages Fa’asaleleaga and Palauli, Savai’i to understand Samoan knowledge of whales, threats, protection, and any cultural knowledge held. There was no significant difference in gender or districts when answering questions on their knowledge of cultural stories of whales. Thematic analysis to identify key themes from the focused interviews revealed common stories such as Nu’usuatia, the village that was dug up by the whale and the man named I’aulualo – both names reflecting the relational understandings Samoans have of place. Only the elders had this cultural knowledge, with no participants under 48 years old aware of these connections between whales and the Samoan people. I used Standard Deviational Ellipse models to examine differences in spatial distribution of different demographic groups of humpback whales in Samoa and American Samoa. Using long-running cetacean survey data provided by collaborators, all humpback sightings with location and group-structure information were compiled from Samoa (2001 – 2023; n = 95), and American Samoa (2003 – 2019; n = 1306). There were differences in proximity to the islands and dispersion around the islands for different demographic groups, reflecting habitat use requirements. This research has revealed that the near total loss of humpback whales in Samoa due to whaling, has led to a multi-generational erosion of cultural knowledge of whales held by Samoan people. As the whales slowly increase in number, greater effort to collect systematic data and re-engage people with the whales is important. Redeeming cultural knowledge loss through storytelling and other cultural knowledge devices may aid to remembering these stories and keeping them alive.