The distribution of right whales and Zooplankton in the Bay of Fundy, Canada

Abstract

Temperature, salinity, density of Zooplankton patches, and the abundance of right whales (Eubalaena glacialis glacialis) were measured concurrently during summer and autumn of 1983 and 1984 over the Grand Manan Basin, outer Bay of Fundy. Right whales appeared to exploit patches of copepods at densities greater than about 820/m3 (170 mg m−3). Patches were composed primarily of stage V Calanus finmarchicus at depths ≥ 100 m during daylight hours. Patch densities were similar in 1983 and 1984. Potential right whale feeding areas increased in extent from late July to October, with at least two peaks of copepod biomass occurring in 1984. Right whales appear to exploit euphausiid patches in the bay only incidentally; the whales departed in 1984 when euphausiid biomass was at a maximum. The topography of the basin, prevailing summer currents, and orientation of transition zones from mixed to stratified water all combine to facilitate accumulation of copepods from the Scotian Shelf and Gulf of Maine in the central lower Bay of Fundy. This area provides an important feeding ground for this stenophagous whale species.

Springtime transport and retention of Calanus finmarchicus in Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays, USA, and implications for right whale foraging

“…The limited Calanus finmarchicus abundance data suggest that whale aggregations correlate with C. finmarchicus abundance, consistent with results from previous studies (e.g. Murison & Gaskin 1989, Baumgartner & Mate 2003, Baumgartner et al 2003, Mayo et al 2004. Moreover, the area of high whale density closely matches the modeled particle retention area in CCB.…”

“…It is well known that right whales tend to feed on zooplankton patches, especially those of Calanus finmarchicus (Murison & Gaskin 1989, Mayo & Marx 1990, Kenney et al 1995, Baumgartner & Mate 2003, Baumgartner et al 2003. Therefore, the close matches of the right whale aggregations with the particle retention areas and high C. finmarchicus abundance in CCB (Figs.…”

“…Dramatic inter-annual variability in total sightings and in the peak period of sightings in other feeding grounds also has been documented (Kenney et al 1995, Baumgartner et al 2003. The principal prey of right whales is calanoid copepods, especially Calanus finmarchicus, and right whales almost exclusively exploit dense aggregations of the older stages of C. finmarchicus (Murison & Gaskin 1989, Mayo & Marx 1990, Kenney et al 1995, Baumgartner & Mate 2003, Baumgartner et al 2003. Therefore, changes in right whale presence are likely related to changes in C. finmarchicus abundance and the conditions for C. finmarchicus distribution and aggregation.…”

Análise do padrão de distribuição de baleia franca austral na costa sul brasileira

“…Espírito Santo et al (2009) published preliminary results of southern right whales mapping off the southern Brazilian coast from 1987 to 2003, based on sightings obtained from aerial surveys that had irregular area coverage from 1987 to 2000, and regular coverage after 2001. Knowledge of the specific areas where a species occurs is fundamental for the implementation of adequate conservation strategies (Murison and Gaskin, 1989;Guisan and Zimmermann, 2000;Austin, 2002). Distribution patterns of marine mammals are potentially indicative of environmental factors that contribute for their aggregation in specific areas.…”

Physical processes and zooplankton distribution in the Great South Channel : observational and numerical studies

“…The primary food of the North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis, is the copepod Calanus finmarchicus (Matthews, 1938;Tomlin, 1957;Omura et al, 1969;Nemoto, 1970;Schevil, 1976, 1979;Scott et al, 1985;Kenney et al , 1986;Gaskin, 1987Gaskin, , 1991Wishner et al, 1988;Murison and Gaskin, 1989;Mayo and Marx, 1990). This copepod overwinters in a dormant stage (primarily copepodite V) throughout the western Gulf of Maine, especially in the deep basins, and matures and reproduces in early spring.…”