A recent research study discovered that critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are now feeding closer to the ocean’s surface at night, which puts them at a higher risk of getting hit by boats. The study, recently published in the academic journal PLOS One, highlighted the occurrence of nighttime surface feeding behavior in North Atlantic right whales. This new finding offers valuable insights that could help prevent fatal collisions between these whales and marine vessels.
The primary investigator of the study, Jay Kirkham, a PhD candidate at Dalhousie University in Halifax, collaborated with the U.S.-based non-profit organization Ocean Alliance to attach tracking devices to 23 right whales in the Shediac Valley, an underwater valley in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. During the summer, a segment of the North Atlantic right whale population, estimated at around 384 individuals, congregates in the Shediac Valley for feeding purposes.
By utilizing tags that captured video footage and movement data of the whales, Kirkham observed the whales’ feeding behavior during both day and night. He explained that the whales exhibit distinct feeding patterns, with their feeding habits shifting from near the sea floor during the day to higher up in the water column at night as they pursue zooplankton, their primary food source.
Through these observations, Kirkham trained a machine learning algorithm to identify nighttime feeding behavior when visual identification was not feasible. The data revealed that right whales feed at similar depths as large vessels at night, heightening the risk of collisions between the two. Kirkham emphasized that collisions with vessels and entanglements in fishing gear pose significant threats to the right whale population’s survival, underscoring the importance of implementing conservation measures.
Both Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are responsible for overseeing protective measures for the North Atlantic right whale population. Fisheries and Oceans Canada stated that their efforts are focused on preventing whale entanglements in fishing gear and enforcing seasonal fishing closures. The study findings are expected to aid in the development of tailored management strategies to safeguard these endangered whales.
Transport Canada enforces speed restrictions and a vessel exclusion zone in the Shediac Valley during the summer to minimize the risk of collisions between boats and right whales. However, Kirkham noted that a substantial portion of the tagged whales spent a significant amount of time outside the exclusion zone, leaving them vulnerable to ship traffic. Transport Canada mentioned that they employ a right whale surveillance program, utilizing visual and audio detection tools to protect the whales from collisions.
The department highlighted the importance of leveraging the latest scientific research, monitoring data, and stakeholder feedback to inform and enhance protective measures for the North Atlantic right whales. By incorporating insights from studies like this one, regulatory bodies can better safeguard these majestic creatures from the perils posed by maritime activities.