Right Whales: What is happening in 2019

The future is an increasingly gloomy one for the North Atlantic right whale, an endangered species whose numbers have been declining since 2010. Right whales are victims of entanglement in fishing gear (ropes and traps), ship strikes and a degrading environment. Conservation of the species adds new constraints to the snow crab and lobster fisheries as well as maritime traffic. The North Atlantic right whale is an endangered species and is protected by Canadian and US laws. How can humans learn to coexist alongside marine mammals without jeopardizing their survival?

Mortality assessment: better understanding the changes

In 2017, a record 12 right whale carcasses were found in Canadian waters, namely in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Since 2017, measures have been applied to mitigate anthropogenic impact on the species. However, about ten or so new cases were identified again this past summer, further aggravating the precarious status of this endangered species. This year, seven births were recorded, but 10 mortality cases were also confirmed (9 carcasses found in Canadian waters and 1 in the US). The population now numbers only around 400 individuals.

Thanks to photo-ID and surveillance efforts, 160 right whales were identified this year in fishing and navigation areas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Part of the North Atlantic right whale population has traditionally spent its summers in the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine. But since 2017, these places seem to be less frequented and a major uptick in observations has been noted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

“This is likely related to rapid changes in conditions along the Atlantic coast, particularly in the Gulf of Maine, which is warming faster than 99% of the rest of the world’s ocean surface, in addition to human pressure,” explains Russ Charif, senior bioacoustician at the Center for Conservation Bioacoustics for the journal Global Change Biology (2019).

This new overlap with fishing grounds and shipping lanes in the colder Gulf waters presents new challenges for Canadian fisheries. Watchword: Maritime Canada must review its methods to minimize its impact on North Atlantic right whales, otherwise the species could suffer further impacts. Concerned scientists have been gathering in order to identify solutions and prevent the species from becoming extinct. Furthermore, right whale protection is an essential criterion for seafood to be certified sustainable, a designation required for exports to the US in addition to being sought by Canadian consumers.The decade or so of cohabitation experience between whales and the fishing industry in the US can be used to inspire measures in Canadian waters.

How is the Canadian industry adapting?

There are higher-risk areas where whales congregate and “rub fins” with areas frequented by crab and lobster boats as well as shipping traffic. To lower the risk of both entanglements and collisions, Fisheries and Oceans Canada imposes areas where fishing is prohibited and Transport Canada limits the speed of certain vessels in certain areas and during certain times of the year. “In response to the North Atlantic right whale mortalities, the team has increased its targeted surveillance efforts; survey flights over Canadian waters went from 5 to 10 a week in the summer of 2019,” points out Fisheries and Oceans Canada in an email exchange with Whales Online.

The fishing industry is already having an impact, even if the seasons are short-lasting and heavily regulated. Fisheries and Oceans Canada bases its measurements on data provided by inventories from previous years. However, whales did not visit the areas frequented in 2018 with the same intensity due to the variability in their distribution. Fishermen would like to see closings carried out on a dynamic basis beginning with the confirmed presence of right whales. In 2019, one fishing area that was highly popular in 2018 was off limits from April to November despite the fact that no right whales were noted there, while other areas were closed for 15 days only when a right whale was spotted in the vicinity. “The management model isn’t perfect yet, everyone is adapting to this new reality,” notes Lyne Morissette, biologist and ecologist who works with fishermen on mitigation measures in Atlantic Canada and the Gulf.

As for the 10-knot speed limit, 19 fines were issued for speeding offences. Transport Canada has a total of 5,279 monitored vessels that have operated within the speed limit zones. Overall, the maritime industry therefore seems to be collaborating in North Atlantic right whale protection efforts.

Multiple meetings, promising solutions!
On November 7, at a roundtable in Moncton, New Brunswick, on the results of fishery management measures for whale protection, the industry indicated that it would like to see the snow crab season start earlier, which could be made possible through the use of icebreakers. “If a qualified supplier is designated, a contract for icebreaking services will be put into place,” explains the ministry. This would make it possible, beginning in 2020, to optimize as much as possible the scale of fishing activities that are permitted to take place before the first North Atlantic right whales arrive. “In spring, everyone is ready to head out to sea 3 weeks before opening day. This would avoid being out at sea when the whales arrive and the government thinks this is a good option,” says Lyne Morissette.

At the internationalheld in Portland, Maine on November 14 and 15, 2019, coordinated efforts with several Canadian stakeholders were applauded by international players, points out Lyne Morissette. “The department is working closely with the United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and has established a Canada-US bilateral working group on the North Atlantic right whale,” adds Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Solutions are multiple, come from a variety of sectors, and must encompass the species’ entire range.

Once again, the North Atlantic right whale dossier is testimony to the complexity of coexisting with the natural world on a planet in constant flux. “There is something to be learned from this issue; this species will at least have taught us to cooperate and work together,” underscores Lyne Morissette.

References

(2019) Phenological changes in North Atlantic right whale habitat use in Massachusetts Bay.

Charif, R.A., Y. Shiu, C.A. Muirhead, C.W. Clark, S.E. Parks, A.N. Rice, Global Change Biology.

(2016) Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Action plan for the North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) in Canada: Fishery Interactions [Proposal]. Species at Risk Act Action Plan Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. v + 43 p.

(2019) 2019 Fishery Management Measures, Fisheries and Oceans Canada website: http://dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/commercial-commerciale/atl-arc/narw-bnan/management-gestion-eng.html

(2019) Oceana Canada, Canadian Marine Life Encyclopedia, Website: https://www.oceana.ca/en/marine-life/canadian-marine-life-encyclopedia/north-atlantic-right-whale

(2019) Fishing and right whale protection on roundtable agenda (in French), Radio-Canada, Website: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1379726/reunion-table-ronde-pecheurs-mpo-baleine-noire-atlantique-nord-moncton-golfe-saint-laurent

On September 16, a first North Atlantic right whale carcass has been discovered in the United States. Eight such carcasses had been found in Canadian waters earlier this summer. This brings the 2019 tally to nine. The North Atlantic right whale is an endangered species that numbers approximately 400 individuals.

The carcass, which was in poor condition, was spotted off Long Island, New York. Aerial surveillance is being carried out to relocate it, obtain samples or even perform a partial necropsy if the state of decomposition is not too advanced. As of now, neither the cause of death or the whale’s identity is known.

Right whales in Canada and the US

This summer, at least 126 right whales visited the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the September edition of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium newsletter, Tim Cole of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center reports identifying them through photos taken during aerial surveillance efforts by Canada and the US. Other photos taken aboard ships have not yet been analyzed and could increase the number of individuals identified.

Aerial and underwater surveillance using acoustic detection devices continues off the coasts of both countries. A few right whales were spotted in the Bay of Fundy during various flights in September. One individual was also observed between the Mingan Islands and Anticosti Island on September 12. Others are still swimming in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the United States, groups of right whales have been spotted off Nantucket Island. Over the next few months, right whales are expected to migrate to their wintering grounds. Some North Atlantic right whales, especially females and juveniles, winter in the southern coastal waters of the United States, off the coasts of Florida and Georgia. Another portion of the population is believed to spend the winter far offshore, out of sight of human eyes.

Aerial surveillance over the past few weeks has not identified any North Atlantic right whales in dynamic speed limit corridors. Late in the day on August 2, the Transport Canada therefore announced that speed restrictions would be lifted. However, as soon as a right whale is seen again, the area where it is spotted will be off-limits again for no fewer than 15 days.

To reduce the risk of collisions between vessels and right whales – one of the main causes of mortality for this species – the Government of Canada has created a mandatory slowdown zone at the entrance to the Gulf. But after eight right whale carcasses were discovered in Canadian waters, Transport Canada expanded the area. The new measure, however, has had a potentially dangerous collateral effect, explains the Ministry in a statement: “Because the speed limit was the same throughout the Gulf area, vessels have been observed using more direct routes to transit through the Gulf instead of using the shipping lanes. This has resulted in more marine traffic coming closer to known whale locations.” To mitigate the risks, the government is cancelling the 10-knot speed limit in shipping corridors.

Ever since the speed limit zones came into effect on April 28, nearly all of the 1,500 transits completed were made in compliance with speed limits. Only three fines were issued to ships. In each of these cases, the fines ranged from $6,000 to $7,800, but could reach $25,000 depending on the severity of the infraction and number of offences committed by the same vessel.

Carcass in the Magdalen Islands

A North Atlantic right whale carcass washed ashore in the Magdalen Islands on July 31. Its advanced state of decomposition precludes an in-depth analyze. Fisheries and Oceans Canada believes this individual corresponds to the fourth carcass spotted adrift on June 24, which at the time was in an advance state of putrefaction and had not yet reached shore. This whale was identified as Eg3815, an 11-year-old female.

Whales still entangled

On August 6, a fourth entangled right whale was spotted during a surveillance flight. And despite tremendous efforts made by members of the Newfoundland-based Whale Release and Strandings group and the Campobello Whale Rescue Team, in collaboration with the Marine Animal Response Society and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the three right whales identified as entangled could not be fully released from their ropes. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is continuing its aerial surveillance activities and teams remain on standby in the event that the whales are respotted.

Two new cases of dead right whales have been confirmed today by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. According to the ministry, a seventh right whale was spotted drifting in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on July 18 during an aerial flight conducted west of the Magdalen Islands. It was towed by the Canadian Coast Guard on July 19 for a comprehensive necropsy. Analysis of the carcass is scheduled to take place on July 21 in the Gaspé Peninsula town of Grand-Étang in hopes of documenting what may have happened to the animal. As of now, the individual has not yet been identified.

On July 19, another whale carcass was spotted. In fact, this carcass had been reported by a fisherman on June 24, but it was not possible to locate it and identify the species with certainty. The advanced state of decomposition will not allow for necropsy. With this discovery, this year’s tally of right whale carcasses is now up to eight.

North Atlantic right whales are an endangered population. The loss of more than 1% of the population in a single season worries researchers. The Government of Canada recently announced reinforcements to its collision and entanglement prevention measures. Since Thursday, fishery officers have been working with the Coast Guard to remove fishing gear (ropes, traps, buoys, etc.) lost by fishermen in an effort to prevent other whales from getting caught.

In recent weeks, three right whales have been spotted entangled in fishing gear. Entanglements can cause significant whale injuries, impair their ability to move or feed, exhaust them, and even drown them if the weight of the ropes is too heavy. In the long term, entanglement can also reduce a whale’s ability to reproduce.

On July 16,  the Campobello Whale Rescue Team, assisted by crews from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was able to resume its attempts to rescue two out of three entangled right whales. The two whales were able to be relieved of their material, but only partially. The Government of Canada, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is continuing its aerial surveillance to document the presence of right whales in Canadian waters and to identify entangled whales for the purpose of assisting them.

Diving a little deeper…

Right Whale Research in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (field notes of the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, July 10, 2019)

Right whales EG4423 and EG4440 are now swimming a little lighter since shedding some of the rope that had been wrapped around their bodies. On July 16, the Campobello Whale Rescue Team, assisted by crews from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was able to resume its attempts to rescue two out of three entangled right whales. Weather conditions of the previous days were too dangerous to attempt such an operation.

During aerial surveillance flights, right whale EG4423 was spotted in the morning. She had already been partially disentangled on July 11. Despite the efforts made on July 16, it was not possible to completely remove the fishing gear in which she had become ensnared, though responders were able to detach some of the rope. The teams present likely reduced the load that this whale had been dragging with it since April 2019, when it was potentially observed in the United States.

As for EG4440, it was spotted in the late afternoon. Although it, too, could not be completely released from the fishing gear in which it is trapped, the rope caught from the jaw to the tail was able to be cut off.

Overflights will continue over the next few days to document the presence and activities of right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If entangled whales EG4440 and EG 4423 are spotted again, teams will observe how their predicaments have evolved following these disentanglement attempts. The teams have not yet relocated the third entangled whale.

No other entanglement incidents involving North Atlantic right whales have been observed since the discovery of these three whales.

Good news! The right whale EG#4423 was partially disentangled yesterday. The ropes restricting the movements of his tail could be removed, but attempts to remove the additional gear had to be stopped at nightfall. EG#4423 has probably been entangled since April 2019, while it was still in US waters.

Speed ​​restrictions applied to a larger fleet, increased aerial surveillance, expanded speed ​​limit area… The Government of Canada is announcing new measures to prevent entanglements and collisions. These measures are being put into place following the discovery of six carcasses belonging to the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Additionally, three right whales have been observed entangled in fishing rope in recent weeks. 

Slowing down to reduce risks

Restricting vessel speeds protects whales from collisions in two ways: by reducing the risk of serious or fatal injuries if a strike does occur, and by increasing the odds that a whale will have sufficient time to react and avoid the collision. Boats over 13 metres in length will now be restricted to a maximum speed of 10 knots, whereas in the past this measure only applied to vessels exceeding 20 metres. The slowdown sector has also been enlarged. 

However, speed restrictions are not without major impacts to those ships making deliveries to remote areas, such as the N/M Bella-Desgagnés, which supplies provisions to North Shore communities that are inaccessible by land. Additionally, tourist vessels on the shores of the Gaspé Peninsula, whether they are international cruise liners or wildlife observation boats, must slow down to 10 knots. 

This speed is not chosen at random. In several parts of the world, speed reduction measures to 10 knots have significantly curbed the risk of collision and especially collision-related mortalities. This measure is notably used at the entrance to the Panama Canal, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.  

In search of entangled whales

Since June 29, three right whales have been spotted entangled in fishing rope, placing them in a vulnerable situation. Since then, the Campobello Whale Rescue Team, which specializes in right whale disentanglements, has been on the alert. But in the vast expanse of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, finding an entangled but freely swimming right whale is extremely difficult. Aerial surveillance flights have increased from twice weekly to twice daily. One of the three whales was spotted again on July 9, but it was already too late in the day to place a radio tag on the rope that it was dragging. With a tag, its movements could be tracked, making it easier to locate the animal and intervene. 

In a message to the media, Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that it is encouraged by aerial surveillance conducted on July 9, during which a total of 90 North Atlantic right whales were observed swimming freely in the Gulf. These right whales were mostly in the static fishing closure area, where since late April no stationary, unattended gear – i.e. equipment left by fishermen for a few hours to a few days before being removed – can be deployed. 

Strict measures vs. economic risks

Not only do these measures meet the survival requirements for the species, they are also compatible with economic imperatives related to seafood exports to the United States, the main market for eastern Canada. In 2017, such exports were valued at $4.3 billion. However, the United States has passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which stipulates that all countries exporting seafood products to the US must prove that they have marine mammal protection measures comparable to their own. By the end of July, Canada must submit an initial report on its efforts to mitigate the impacts of its fisheries on marine mammals. The legislation will come into effect on January 1, 2022, and if the US considers that Canada has not taken ample action, the country could lose its main market for lobster and snow crab.

Current regulations governing Canadian fisheries may seem extremely restrictive for fishermen, but they make the country one of the best performers in terms of the number of certified sustainable fisheries. Today’s measures to protect right whales are a step in this direction. 

To learn more

News release announcing new measures (Government of Canada, July 8, 2019)

On the entanglements: an 86-minute presentation given by expert Amy Knowlton of the New England Aquarium and two fishermen (WGBHForum, August 6, 2018)

A reader has reported a video of an unusual-looking whale off the coast of Brittany, France. After validation with experts at the New England Aquarium, the organization that manages the North Atlantic right whale photo-ID catalogue, it turns out that it is a male right whale nicknamed Mogul. It is seen surface feeding, probably devouring copepods, the right whale’s favourite prey. This is the second observation of Mogul in the eastern Atlantic.

Mogul was born in 2008 to the female Slalom. He is seen annually by researchers in US waters and the Bay of Fundy on the Canadian side, mostly in coastal habitats and in the company of other right whales. But in late July 2018, Mogul was photographed off Iceland by a whale-watching outfitter. Nevertheless, Mogul had been seen on April 21, 2018 off the coast of Massachusetts. He completed his trans-Atlantic trip in under three months. In March 2019, Mogul was back on the North American side of the Atlantic. Which means he crossed the ocean again this year to Europe at an unknown date.

“Two things drive whale behaviour: food and reproduction.  He was seen feeding, or at least trying to, in the video. He did not look sick from what we could see from the body on the video. And in March, he seemed well,” explains Heather Pettis, one of the scientists at the New England Aquarium.

Did he travel to France in search of food? Has he found enough food? The New England Aquarium team has not received any further sightings of Mogul since. Will we see him again in Europe in the coming months or years? It’s impossible to predict. Since 1986, a few right whales have been seen on the eastern side of the Atlantic, both in the Azores and in Norway. “It’s really rare to see a right whale in Europe,” confirms this expert.

If you see a whale at sea, it’s important to keep your distance. “Photos or videos that the public sends us are very useful, but it is essential to maintain a safe distance from the whale. They are much larger than what can be seen on the surface, so for one’s own safety, as well as for the safety of those on board the boat, an appropriate distance should be maintained,” adds Heather Pettis.

Dive deeper

To learn more about Mogul in Iceland: A Rare Right Whale Sighting in Iceland (Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, 2018)

Mogul’s page in the right whale photo-ID catalogue

Preliminary results of the fourth North Atlantic right whale necropsy have just been announced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The whale known as Clipper probably died as a result of a ship strike. This result echoes that of two of the other three necropsies.

The necropsy was conducted on July 1 at the Grand-Étang rest stop near the town of Cloridorme in the Gaspé Peninsula. The work was a collaborative effort between teams of veterinarians from Université de Montréal and the Atlantic Veterinary College (University of Prince Edward Island), supported by US experts and volunteers from the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network.

Clipper was first identified alive in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on June 4, 5 and 10. Then, on June 28, her carcass was spotted during aerial surveys conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, approximately 100 km off the Gaspé Peninsula. This was the sixth carcass to have been found in Canadian waters in 2019.

First entangled right whale

On June 30, right whale #4400 was observed entangled in fishing gear off Miscou Island, New Brunswick. The juvenile right whale born in 2014 was in an area that had been closed off to fishing since April 28. The Campobello Whale Rescue Team, which specializes in disentangling whales, is waiting for better weather conditions before attempting an intervention. She has not been seen since.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirms that two new North Atlantic right whale carcasses have been found, one on the coast of Anticosti Island and the other adrift off the Gaspé Peninsula. This brings this year’s mortality count to six for this species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In response, Transport Canada immediately implemented a 10-knot speed limit on vessels 20 metres and over in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, namely in two designated shipping lanes north and south of Anticosti Island.

These precautions are directly related to the precarious status of this endangered species. Michelle Sanders, Transport Canada’s Director of Clean Water Policy, points out that: “This is a precautionary measure given that North Atlantic right whales have been observed near the shipping lanes. The goal is to limit the impact of shipping traffic on right whales.

A known female

The fifth carcass was identified by the New England Aquarium using the organization’s catalogue. Born in 2003, this female was known as #3329. The scars she bears reveal that she has suffered at least four entanglements in fishing gear over her lifetime. She was last seen on April 25, 2019 in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is currently analyzing its options for recovering and performing a necropsy on the sixth carcass.

The sixth carcass has yet to be identified.

The mystery persists

Of the six North Atlantic right whale carcasses, only two necropsies have been conducted so far. According to Matthew Hardy, aquatic resources division manager with Fisheries and Oceans Canada: “It’s still too early to tell what’s going on. The carcasses discovered do not show any pattern in terms of distribution or cause of mortality. We are actively working to gather additional data to get a better handle on the situation.”

Right whales are more vulnerable to entanglements with fishing gear and collisions with ships than other large whales. Because they come to the St. Lawrence to feed, they spend a great deal of time at the surface. They also have the disadvantage of being slow swimmers.

According to the 2018 annual report prepared by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, a mere 411 North Atlantic right whales remain. Seven calves were born last winter, while a minimum of 17 calves would be needed to put the species back on the path to recovery. The mortalities tallied to date in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2019 represent a 1% decline in this species.

The necropsy of the right whale known as Punctuation began on the morning of June 25. The carcass was first discovered on June 20, meaning it may already be in poor condition. Due to unfavourable weather conditions, only yesterday could the animal finally be towed to shore. The carcass is now in Petit-Étang, Nova Scotia.

Over the course of her life spanning nearly four decades, Punctuation gave birth to at least eight calves, the first being observed in 1986 and the most recent in 2016. The loss of a female of breeding age can hamper the recovery of an endangered species. During her lifetime, Punctuation got herself entangled no fewer than five times and was struck by a ship at least twice. Punctuation was seen in the Mingan Island sector in 2017.

Ironically, the discovery of this female’s carcass occurred on the same day as the publication of a study on the causes of North Atlantic right whale mortalities. Published in the scientific journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, the article confirms that entanglements and collisions are the most common causes of death for this species (88%), far ahead of natural causes. Researchers have examined the carcasses of 70 right whales found between 2003 and 2018, of which they were able to confirm the causes of death for 43 individuals. Of these, 22 died as a result of entanglement and 16 due to collisions with a ship. “The good news however, is that these mortalities are preventable if targeted and aggressive mitigation measures are enacted immediately by both the United States and Canada,” states Dr. Sarah Sharp, veterinarian and pathologist for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Reduced speeds for ships, dynamic closure zones or rerouted shipping lanes, and the use of rope-less fishing gear are all avenues of protection that can be or have already been put into place.

To learn more

Mortality study: Sharp, S.M., W.A. McLellan, D.S. Rotstein, A.M. Costidis et al. (2019) Gross and histopathologic diagnoses from North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis mortalities between 2003 and 2018. Dis Aquat Org 135:1-31.

The North Atlantic right whale identified as Wolverine is currently analyzed on Miscou Island, New Brunswick. The necropsy requires the contribution of nearly twenty people as well as heavy machinery. A right whale can measure up to 17 metres long and weigh up to 70 tonnes. Handling such a carcass is no easy task!

The animal was spotted on June 4 during an aerial survey conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), midway between the Gaspé Peninsula and Miscou Island, i.e. 50 nautical miles from each. It was in a fishing area that had been closed off since May 17 in a precautionary measure to prevent entanglements. On June 5, the CCGS A. LeBlanc, a Canadian Coast Guard ship, began towing the carcass to New Brunswick. After nearly 13 hours, ship and whale are near the coast in anticipation of the necropsy, which is being performed on June 7.

A necropsy is the equivalent of an autopsy in humans, and consists of a comprehensive analysis of the animal. Thanks to necropsies, expert veterinarians were able to conclude that of the twelve right whales found dead in 2017, two mortalities were related to entanglement in fishing gear, four were attributable to collisions with ships and the cause of one death remained undetermined. For the time being, neither the cause or exact timing of Wolverine’s death have been able to be determined based on observations of the carcass.

Specialized teams of veterinarians, biologists and marine mammal experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Marine Animal Response Society, the Atlantic Veterinary College of the University of Prince Edward Island and Université de Montréal will collaborate in the necropsy. It may be several months before the results of the analyses become available.

A first North Atlantic right whale carcass has been discovered this year. North Atlantic right whales are considered endangered and their population is estimated to number 411 individuals. The carcass was spotted on June 4 during an aerial survey carried out by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It was approximately 50 nautical miles from the Gaspé coast.

Overflights by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and patrols by the Canadian Coast Guard were carried out on June 5 to relocate the animal. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network and the Marine Animal Response Society are evaluating the possibility of towing the carcass to Miscou Island for analysis in the coming days. A comprehensive necropsy might help determine the cause of the animal’s death.

The logistical challenges of transporting a North Atlantic right whale are multiple, given the size and weight of the individual. The distance to the coast (approx. 13 hours away) adds to the complexity of the operation. Organizing a necropsy also requires expertise and a sizable workforce to carve up the enormous body. Nevertheless, the answers that might be provided by the analysis could serve to better inform conservation measures.

A right whale named Wolverine

The New England Aquarium team has identified the right whale. It is Wolverine, a male born in 2010 to female 3123. He owed his name to three large scars at the base of his tail, the result of a collision with an engine propeller when he was 5 years old. During the first five years of his life, Wolverine was seen entangled three times, with two of these entanglements considered minor and one moderate, according to the standards developed by the New England Aquarium. This individual was seen in 2017 and 2018 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At the current time, we do not know the cause of the mortality.

A changing ecosystem

Part of the North Atlantic right whale population has traditionally spent summers in the Bay of Fundy. Since 2017, the Bay of Fundy appears to be less heavily visited and a major increase in right whale sightings has been noted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 2017, twelve right whale carcasses were found in the Gulf. Mitigation measures to lower the risks of entanglement and collisions were urgently implemented that summer. Measures were also applied in 2018; no carcasses were found that year. This year, speed reduction zones and mitigation measures have once again been put into place.

On May 13, the first North Atlantic right whales of the season were observed via aerial survey in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Their return to Canadian waters has meant the implementation of a number of protective measures, including speed restrictions for boats exceeding 20 metres as well as the closure of certain fishing areas. A static speed reduction zone, which represents the region where 90% of right whales were observed in 2018, has been in effect since April 28.

The purpose of these measures is to lower the risk of collisions and entanglements, which are significant threats to the endangered North Atlantic right whale. These measures were adopted in the aftermath of the exceptional mortality incidents of 2017, when 17 right whale carcasses were discovered, including 12 in Canadian waters. Recap of the latest news with regard to right whales…

New technologies for crabbers

The Acadian Crabbers Association will receive funding of over $2 million over three years to test new fishing techniques that might help lower the risk of right whale entanglements. The crabbing industry, a fishery that many coastal communities depend on for their livelihood, involves the use of huge quantities of rope. Because they spend a great deal of time foraging at the surface, right whales are particularly at risk of finding themselves ensnared in these ropes.

The current method consists of tethering the crab traps – which sink to the seabed – to a buoy that floats on the surface. Since last summer, crabbers have been testing new fishing techniques. For example, underwater buoys might represent a viable alternative since they eliminate the need for any rope near the surface. These buoys could be combined with an acoustic system that would enable crabbers to “call” their buoys back to the surface whenever they wish to check their traps.

Adapting to the presence of right whales

Right whales now visit the Gulf of St. Lawrence in large numbers, which was not the case a decade ago. They are believed to be in search of new food sources, as copepods have become less plentiful in their traditional feeding grounds in the Bay of Fundy.

Protective measures were hastily introduced in 2017, then renewed the following year. In 2018, not a single right whale carcass was found in Canada. Is this proof that the imposed restrictions are effective? It’s hard to say. “What we do know is that these efforts will have to be maintained for several years,” explains Robert Michaud in an interview with Radio-Canada. The longevity of right whales and the long intervals between births mean that the results of any conservation measures will take time to become apparent.

Right whales in statistics

Number of Individuals: 411

Number of calves counted in 2019: 7

Number of calves counted in 2018: 0

Calving interval per female: 10 years

Proportion of individuals with markings caused by entanglement: 83%

Speed limit: 10 knots

Duration of protection of an area following a right whale sighting: 15 days

The North Atlantic right whale protection measures for 2019 have been announced, and will include measures better suited to the fishing industry, as well as constant monitoring efforts similar to last year. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Transport Minister Marc Garneau reiterated the importance of protecting this endangered species. Aerial and acoustic monitoring will continue with the same intensity to document the presence of right whales. The two ministers, however, announced a few adjustments in the measures compared to 2018 to reduce the impacts of these measures on coastal communities.

Adapted fishing measures

One area will be closed to fishing activities for the season beginning April 28, or earlier if a right whale is detected there. The season-long closure area is roughly 63% smaller than that of 2018 and corresponds to the area where 90% of right whale sightings were made last summer.

Temporary closure areas have also been designated. A closure occurs when at least one right whale is seen in the area. The area will then be closed for a period of 15 days, during which all fishing gear must be taken out of the water.

In response to requests from the lobster fisheries, shallow areas (20 fathoms or less) will automatically be closed only if a right whale is also observed in shallow waters.

Slowing down to prevent collisions

Speed ​​limit zones of 10 knots will be reinstated beginning April 28 for commercial vessels 20 metres and more. A regular speed corridor will be established and will only be closed in the event right whales are observed, which will notably allow cruise and supply vessels to easily reach coastal regions without necessarily altering their schedules.

All measures are in response to the 2017 right whale mortality episode when 12 carcasses were discovered in Canadian waters. In order to maintain its seafood export permits and comply with its Species at Risk legislation, the Government of Canada established emergency measures during the 2017 season, introduced more stringent measures in 2018 and adapted them this year.

Since North Atlantic right whales have left the frigid waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to return to their wintering grounds, four calves have been observed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They were seen in Florida on December 28, 2018 and January 13, 2019 and are the first of the calving season, which generally runs from November to February. According to Julie Albert, coordinator for the Marine Resources Council, we can expect more births before the end of the season, as “5 of the 6 whales spotted this season may have been pregnant females,” she reports to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Low birth rates have been observed in this endangered species since 2010. Each birth therefore represents a tiny step toward an eventual recovery.

“5 of the 6 whales spotted this season may have been pregnant females,” she reports.

Births in the context of declining fertility

The North Atlantic right whale population is estimated to number 411 individuals. Of these, about 75 are believed to be females of reproductive age. However, in 2018, no calves were observed and only 5 were spotted in 2017. The number of calves observed each year is therefore quite different from what would normally be expected. Between 2010 and 2016, the birth rate fell by 40%. Additionally, the average interval between births for any given female rose from 4 to 10 years. For comparison, this interval is 3 years for the species’ cousin, the southern right whale. The decrease in the number of completed pregnancies and the increase in the number of undocumented newborn deaths are reasons that might explain these unusual intervals.

Pregnancy and nursing are very energy-intensive processes for females, who require access to sufficient food sources to maintain their body weight. Copepods – a favourite food of right whales – are becoming increasingly rare in traditional summer areas between New England and Nova Scotia. This might explain why a growing number of right whales are being observed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where these small crustaceans are present. A longer migration means greater energy expenditures for females, which can be detrimental to reproduction. If, despite the odds weighing against her, the female does manage to give birth to a calf, there is no guarantee that she will be sufficiently fit to produce enough milk to feed her offspring. Indeed, studies on the southern right whale have shown that the body volume of lactating females diminishes by 25% in a span of just 3 months.

In recent decades, there has been a correlation between particularly low birth rates and the observation of more injuries and poorer health overall. This suggests that the low birth rate may be related to the frequent entanglements of North Atlantic right whales in fishing gear. This species is particularly prone to collisions and entanglements, as it is a slow swimmer and stays close to the surface. The stress triggered by these events can affect whales’ reproduction or their ability to terminate their pregnancy. Fortunately, these periods are generally followed by a rise in birth rates when health conditions become favourable again.

Further, the low genetic diversity of right whales might be having an effect on their reproductive capacity. Indeed, small populations are particularly at risk when it comes to mating between individuals that are too closely related genetically. Such individuals may be genetically incompatible and produce non-viable fetuses.

The introduction of right whale protection measures in 2018 by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada appears to have been effective. Authorities have identified 3 entanglements and zero mortalities in Canadian waters in the past year, a dramatic improvement compared to the 18 mortalities and 5 entanglements documented in 2017.

We will need to wait a few years before we can determine whether the decrease in mortality and stressful events will translate into higher birth rates. In the meantime, it is hoped that these three births will be the harbinger of a string of good news for the species.

Sources

(2010) Browning, C., R.M. Rolland and S.D. Kraus. Estimated calf and perinatal mortality in western North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). (United States.) Marine Mammal Science 26(3): 648-662.

(2018) Christiansen, F., F. Vivier, C. Charlton, R. Ward, A. Amerson, S. Burnell and L. Bejder. Maternal body size and condition determine calf growth rates in southern right whales. (Australia.) Marine Ecology Progress Series 592: 267–281.

(2018) Right Whale News 26(3): 1-21.