212 As right whale migration and feeding patterns shifted, the animals began entering areas that lacked protections—with deadly consequences. A catastrophic 2017 incident in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Canadian waters killed 12 North Atlantic right whales. Post-mortems revealed many had been hit by vessel strikes or caught in fishing gear entanglements. Investigators found a fleet of crabbing boats had been operating in the gulf at the time. Scientists at NOAA recognized that the species’ survival hinged on fast and precise intervention. NOAA Fisheries declared an Unusual Mortality Event to mark the significant dieoff of the right whale population. “NOAA wanted to do something,” Roberts said. “And they needed to have a detailed understanding of where this animal was and where it would be.” Since the peak in 2010, more than 25 percent of the North Atlantic right whale population has been lost, leaving fewer than 70 breeding females. “It’s to the point where, if a single mother or calf is killed by a ship strike or something, then that’s a big blow to the genetic population.” — Patrick Halpin, founder and director, Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab Although the Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab had an existing density model for right whales, NOAA scientists wanted a more accurate update on whale behavior. A new model, outlined in a paper published earlier this year, incorporates the most current visual surveying and acoustic monitoring data. Pooling Data for Better Research and Analysis To update the density model, lab researchers needed extensive right whale data. Most whales are not visible via satellite, and The difference in monthly right whale densities was mapped for February, May, and August. Red indicates densities that were higher from 2010 to 2019 compared to 2003 to 2009; blue indicates density that was lower from 2010 to 2019; and white indicates density that was about the same. (Map courtesy of the Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA2NTE0Mw==