A recent research study has revealed that critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are engaging in surface feeding at night, increasing their vulnerability to ship strikes. The study, which was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, observed nighttime surface feeding behavior in North Atlantic right whales, offering new insights that could help prevent fatal collisions between the whales and vessels.
The lead author of the study, Jay Kirkham, a PhD student 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. This area serves as a feeding ground for a portion of the North Atlantic right whale population, estimated to be around 384 whales, during the summer months.
Using the data collected from the tracking devices, Kirkham and his team were able to observe the whales’ feeding behavior and movements. The study revealed that the whales feed at the same depth as large vessels at night, elevating the risk of collisions. While right whales typically feed near the sea floor during the day, they follow their primary food source, zooplankton, higher up in the water column at night.
According to Kirkham, ship strikes and entanglements in fishing gear are the primary causes of mortality in the right whale population. The findings of this study could aid in the development of conservation strategies for the protection of these whales. Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are currently responsible for implementing protective measures for the species.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada emphasized that their efforts focus on preventing whale entanglements in fishing gear and enforcing seasonal fishing closures. The study’s findings are expected to assist in the formulation of tailored management approaches to safeguard North Atlantic right whales. Transport Canada has implemented speed restrictions and a vessel exclusion zone in the Shediac Valley to reduce the risk of collisions during the summer season.
Despite these measures, Kirkham noted that the tagged whales spent a significant portion of their feeding time outside the exclusion zone, exposing them to potential ship traffic. Transport Canada highlighted their right whale surveillance program, which utilizes visual and audio detection tools to protect the whales from collisions. The department emphasized the use of advanced technologies and scientific research to inform protective measures.
