Migration and foraging destinations of South African southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) tagged in 2025

These data are tracking data of adult southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) which were tagged with satellite transmitters in Walker Bay in October 2025. These tags were deployed to investigate in detail, the migratory behaviour and foraging destinations of the South African population of southern right whales. This is done as part of a long-term research project entitled, 'The Right Sentinel, southern right whale population recovery in a changing ocean' which investigates the effects of climate change and associated reductions in sea ice on the foraging success and ultimately population dynamics of South Africa's right whale population. These data contribute to the global image of southern right whale migratory pathways and foraging destinations, assessed under the umbrella of the Southern Right Whale Consortium and the Southern Ocean Research Partnership of the International Whaling Commission. Tag types are SPOT-372 transdermal tags predominantly, and 2 SPLASH 10-373. Whales are tagged based on their approachability, so we dont aim for specific individuals but rather approach whales and tag those that allow us to come close enough. Tags are deployed behind the fat roll (the area behind the blowholes, anterior dorsal) of the southern right whales.