Marine researchers have collaborated to map the density of the endangered North Atlantic right whale, using visual survey data and auditory data from hydrophone recorders. By combining these datasets, researchers were able to build a statistical model to estimate the number of whales per square kilometer at different points in time. The goal of this mapping is to help prevent harmful and fatal encounters between whales and commercial fishing vessels.
The Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab led the collaboration, which included 11 institutions and covered 9.7 million square kilometers of the U.S. Atlantic. The researchers published their findings in Marine Ecology Progress Series on March 20, 2024. By having a more accurate and detailed mapping of right whale density, researchers hope to improve efforts to protect the dwindling population from human interactions that can lead to injury or death.
Previous methods of tracking and protecting right whales have been incomplete or ineffective, with electronic tagging being harmful to whale health and monitoring only a small fraction of the population. The revised statistical model used in this study builds on a 2016 model by incorporating new data on whale migration and feeding patterns. This has allowed researchers to show how the population has shifted its distribution and highlight areas where protection measures for marine life are lacking.
Right whales play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of marine environments and the food web through their feeding habits. As climate change has reduced the population of their prey, whale migration patterns have become more unpredictable, increasing the likelihood of interactions with human activities like commercial fishing. By using satellite ocean monitoring and physical ocean models, researchers can more accurately predict whale density along the U.S. east coast.
The research emphasizes the importance of preventing harmful encounters between right whales and human activities to protect the species from further decline. By mapping the density of right whales and identifying areas where protection measures are needed, researchers hope to improve conservation efforts and reduce the risk of injury or death to these endangered whales. The study’s findings provide valuable insights that can inform ocean management and governance decisions to help ensure the survival of the North Atlantic right whale population.
Overall, the collaborative effort to map right whale density using visual and acoustic data provides a valuable tool for researchers and conservationists to better understand the distribution and movements of these endangered whales. By improving the accuracy and detail of the mapping, researchers aim to enhance efforts to protect right whales from harmful encounters with human activities, ultimately contributing to the conservation and recovery of this critically endangered species.