Seasonal occurrence of blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) vocalizations in the Gully Marine Protected Area

Authors

  • Emmaline Camille Marotte <p>Dalhousie University</p><p>Fisheries and Oceans Canada</p>
  • Hilary Moors-Murphy Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Abstract

The Scotian Slope off the coast of Nova Scotia is home to the largest submarine canyon off eastern Canada, known as the Gully. Designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) since 2004, the Gully is considered to be an important marine habitat frequented by a variety of cetacean species. Previous studies have confirmed the presence of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the Gully during late summer months; however, their occurrence in the canyon during other times of year remains unknown. This study investigated the vocal presence of blue whales using acoustic recordings collected with bottom-mounted pop-up hydrophones placed at the mouth of the Gully during summer 2006 and winter 2006 and 2007. A ten-minute recording was collected from each hour throughout each deployment period. An automated blue whale call detector was run through the recordings and all recordings containing blue whale detections were visually and aurally examined. Verified blue whale calls were found on 17% of the summer recordings and 4% of winter recordings. This indicates that at least some individuals occur in the Gully area during winter months. Continuing protection of the Gully MPA is critical for cetacean conservation as the area hosts multiple endangered species, including blue whales, throughout the year.

Additional Files

Published

2015-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Marotte EC, Moors-Murphy H. Seasonal occurrence of blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) vocalizations in the Gully Marine Protected Area. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2015 Sep. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 3];43(3). Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2796

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 3 (2015)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

License

Author Licensing Addendum

This Licensing Addendum ("Addendum") is entered into between the undersigned Author(s) and Canadian Acoustics journal published by the Canadian Acoustical Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Publisher"). The Author(s) and the Publisher agree as follows:

  1. Retained Rights: The Author(s) retain(s) the following rights:

    • The right to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the Work on the Author's personal website or the website of the Author's institution.
    • The right to use the Work in the Author's teaching activities and presentations.
    • The right to include the Work in a compilation for the Author's personal use, not for sale.

  2. Grant of License: The Author(s) grant(s) to the Publisher a worldwide exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and display the Work in Canadian Acoustics and any other formats and media deemed appropriate by the Publisher.

  3. Attribution: The Publisher agrees to include proper attribution to the Author(s) in all publications and reproductions of the Work.

  4. No Conflict: This Addendum is intended to be in harmony with, and not in conflict with, the terms and conditions of the original agreement entered into between the Author(s) and the Publisher.

  5. Copyright Clause: Copyright on articles is held by the Author(s). The corresponding Author has the right to grant on behalf of all Authors and does grant on behalf of all Authors, a worldwide exclusive license to the Publisher and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats, and media (whether known now or created in the future), including but not limited to the rights to publish, reproduce, distribute, display, store, translate, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections, and create summaries, extracts, and/or abstracts of the Contribution.

Most read articles by the same author(s)