Analysis of North Atlantic Right Whale Swimming Behavior during Bottom Foraging Events to Assess Entanglement Risk
Abstract
The western North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis, is critically endangered
throughout its range. With approximately 300 individuals remaining, this population
suffers significant impacts from entanglement in commercial fishing gear that are
impeding the species ability to recover from historic hunting pressures. The purpose
of this study was to evaluate the circumstances surrounding serious entanglements.
Data collected from foraging right whales tagged in 2001 and 2002 were analyzed to
identify behavior(s) that may increase the risk of entanglement in certain types of
gear at certain depths. Results suggest that foraging right whales display risky behaviors
that may increase their chances of becoming entangled, including swimming at depths
where floating loops of line from bottom-fixed gear extend into the water column,
and increased rolling behavior through vertical line during the ascent and descent
portions of the dive
cycle. This work could contribute to current conservation efforts on behalf of the
whale
by informing the design of more 'whale-friendly' fishing gear, as well as help managers
determine more effective mitigation strategies to reduce the risk that fishing gear
poses to right whales.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/232Citation
Maresh, Jennifer L. (2005). Analysis of North Atlantic Right Whale Swimming Behavior during Bottom Foraging Events
to Assess Entanglement Risk. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/232.Collections
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