Environmental characteristics of North Atlantic right and fin whale habitat in the lower Bay of Fundy, Canada

Abstract

Characteristics of right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) habitat in the lower Bay of Fundy were identified by quantifying physical and biological habitat variables and comparing them to the distribution of whales during the summer and autumn of 1989. Right whales were generally distributed over the Grand Manan Basin, where the bottom topography is relatively flat and the water column was stratified. Calanus finmarchicus, the principal prey species of right whales, was the predominant copepod taken in Zooplankton hauls, and the depth-averaged density (mean 1139/m3) was significantly greater where right whales were present. Fin whales were distributed mainly in shallower areas with high topographic variation that were likely well mixed or contained frontal interfaces between mixed and stratified waters. Herring (Clupea harengus) and euphausiids, both known prey of fin whales, were relatively abundant on echosounder traces in areas where fin whales were present. The habitats of both whale species were primarily characterized by high densities of principal prey species and the physical conditions that facilitate the accumulation of these prey.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis and their zooplankton prey in the Bay of Fundy, Canada

“…The present study also supports the conclusion that the most likely vector for transfer of PSP toxins into western North Atlantic right whales is the copepod Calanus finmarchicus, as this grazer has been established as the main food source for Eubalaena glacialis in the study region (Woodley & Gaskin 1996). C. finmarchicus consistently dominated the zooplankton community, based on both numerical abundance (60 to 80% of all copepods) as well as biomass (52 to 91% of all zooplankton).…”

“…Exposure of western North Atlantic right whales to PSP toxins may follow an even more direct route, given that their primary food source is the calanoid copepod Calanus finmarchicus (Murison & Gaskin 1989, Woodley & Gaskin 1996, which is known to consume Alexandrium spp. (Turriff et al 1995, White 1979) and, thus, may serve as a single vector for trophic transfer of these potent neurotoxins.…”

Potential feeding habitat of fin whales in the western Mediterranean Sea: an environmental niche model

“…The considered environmental variables include sea-surface temperature (SST) (Brown & Winn 1989, Baumgartner et al 2001, Cañadas et al 2005, Panigada et al 2008; bottom topography (Baumgartner 1997, Cañadas et al 2002, 2005, Panigada et al 2005, Ingram et al 2007); bathymetry, SST and chlorophyll content (Laran & Gannier 2008); currents and frontal systems (Tynan 1998, Mendes et al 2002, Johnston et al 2005, Gannier & Praca 2007; primary production cycles (Littaye et al 2004, Panigada et al 2008; and prey distribution (Woodley & Gaskin 1996, Jaquet & Gendron 2002, Baumgartner et al 2003, Macleod et al 2004). …”

Summertime foraging ecology of North Atlantic right whales

“…Surface feeding occurs occasionally, but subsurface feeding is much more common (Watkins & Schevill 1976, Mayo & Marx 1990, Kenney et al 1995. During the summer, right whales can be found in the lower Bay of Fundy and on the SW Scotian Shelf, where they continue to feed on older stages of C. finmarchicus (Stone et al 1988, Murison & Gaskin 1989, Woodley & Gaskin 1996. At this time of year, the bulk of the C. finmarchicus population consists of stage 5 copepodites (C5) that are in a resting state deep in the water column (Sameoto & Herman 1990, Miller et al 1991.…”