A recent research study discovered that critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are engaging in surface feeding at night, which puts them at a higher risk of boat collisions. The study was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, shedding light on the nighttime feeding behavior of these whales and offering insights to mitigate fatal collisions with vessels.
The study was led by Jay Kirkham, a PhD student at Dalhousie University in Halifax, in collaboration with the U.S.-based non-profit Ocean Alliance. The team tagged 23 right whales in the Shediac Valley, located in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, where a portion of the estimated 384 North Atlantic right whale population congregates annually for feeding.
By analyzing video footage and tracking the whales’ movements and behaviors, Kirkham observed that the whales feed near the ocean’s surface at night, sharing the same depth as large vessels and increasing the collision risk. While right whales typically feed near the sea floor during the day, they follow their food source, zooplankton, higher up in the water column at night.
Collisions with ships and entanglements in fishing gear are the primary causes of death among these whales. The study’s findings could aid in developing conservation strategies to protect the North Atlantic right whales. Current protection measures overseen by Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada include speed restrictions, vessel exclusion zones, and seasonal fishing closures in the Shediac Valley.
Transport Canada employs a surveillance program utilizing visual and audio detection tools to safeguard whales from collisions. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and the latest scientific research, these agencies aim to enhance protective measures for the vulnerable North Atlantic right whale population.