A recent research study discovered that critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are now engaging in surface feeding at night, exposing them to higher risks of boat collisions. The study, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, observed this behavior in North Atlantic right whales and highlighted the need for proactive measures to prevent fatal collisions with vessels.
Lead author of the study, Jay Kirkham, a PhD student at Dalhousie University in Halifax, collaborated with the U.S.-based non-profit Ocean Alliance to track 23 right whales in the Shediac Valley, located in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. During the summer, a segment of the North Atlantic right whale population, estimated at around 384 whales, congregates in the Shediac Valley for feeding.
Utilizing video footage and tracking data from the tagged whales, Kirkham analyzed the whales’ movement patterns and feeding behaviors, particularly focusing on their nighttime feeding habits. The study revealed that right whales, which usually feed near the sea floor during the day, ascend to shallower depths at night to feed on zooplankton, putting them at a similar depth as large vessels and increasing the risk of collisions.
Kirkham employed these observations to develop a machine learning algorithm that can identify nighttime feeding behavior in right whales, aiding in monitoring their activities when visually identifying them is challenging. The data showed that whales are at risk of colliding with vessels due to their feeding behavior at night.
Collisions with ships and entanglements in fishing gear are identified as the primary causes of death among the North Atlantic right whale population. The study’s findings may help in devising conservation strategies to safeguard these whales. Currently, protection measures for the population are overseen by Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada highlighted that their efforts are concentrated on preventing whale entanglements and enforcing seasonal fishing closures. They emphasized that the study’s insights could lead to tailored management strategies for the protection of North Atlantic right whales.
Transport Canada enforces speed limits and vessel exclusion zones in the Shediac Valley during summer to mitigate collision risks. However, Kirkham noted that tagged whales spent a significant portion of their feeding time outside the exclusion zone, making them vulnerable to ship traffic.
In response to the study, Transport Canada mentioned their whale surveillance program, which utilizes visual and audio detection tools to reduce the risk of collisions. They emphasized the importance of acoustic monitoring systems and other technologies to aid in whale detection and protect them from harm.
Transport Canada stated that they integrate the latest scientific research, monitoring data, and stakeholder feedback to enhance their protective measures for North Atlantic right whales.