The conservation of the South-eastern Pacific humpback whale population is a regional priority recognized trough a strategic plan supported by biological, social, cultural, political and economical aspects . Within the regional priority Peru is considered a country where effort on research should be intensive.

Recent records of humpback whales indicate an intensive use of Sechura bay in spring and on this basis it would indicate that it represents a new concentration area for the South-eastern Pacific humpback whale population. Lack of biological data avoids determining the importance of the area for the species. Additionally several human activities threats the conservation of humpback whales in the area.

The research project will extend trough 4 months and will consist in observations at sea aboard fishing boats rented to local fishermen. Line transect observations will be carry out by two observers searching for blows, dorsal fins, backs or any evidence of whales in the area, an estimated number of whales in the area will be determined trough direct counts. Standard procedures to approach a whale at sea will be considered. Aboard observations will obtain:

(1) periodical records of humpback whales;

(2) composition of groups in three categories: adult alone, adult plus calf and group of adults (more than one whale no farther than 100 meters between each other) trough the composition of groups we could support the determination of activities

(3) photo identification of individual animals.

The project is focused to obtain basic information as a first step to a long term conservation effort both for humpback whales and the Sechura bay. The study will contribute in nature conservation trough the generation of knowledge. Data obtained will complement and help extant regional and local conservation efforts on the species, since Peru is the country in the region where less research effort has been made.

A monthly data base will be obtained to establish the distribution and to determine monthly peaks in the estimated abundance of whales in the bay. Group composition will be compared statistically in spatial and temporal scale. Sightings will be plotted in GIS distribution maps.