Feeding and migration important areas for Blue whales in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in the Atlantic Ocean

Feeding and migration important areas for Blue whales in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and in the Atlantic Ocean A modelling analysis conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) identified these areas as the most suitable habitat for Blue whales: Gulf of St. Lawrence, waters off the southern coast of Newfoundland, the region of Mecatina Trough, the Esquiman Channel and the continental shelf margin off Nova Scotia. They represent important areas for foraging, feeding and socializing for Blue whales. The sources of data used to determine these important areas (by the enclosing boxes method) and the annual and seasonal cycles of Blue whale travel patterns include, but are not limited to, radio and satellite telemetry, passive acoustic monitoring, line-transect aerial surveys, anecdotal reports of observations and modelling. This layer does not represent the general distribution of the Blue whale. Important areas have been identified by reviewing several sources of information and to the best of researchers' knowledge. Several information about Blue whales, their behaviour and habitat use are still unknown. Data is scarce in some areas during winter periods. Observation efforts mostly occur during the summer period, however, data sources can validate their presence during seasons when the observation effort is lower. The Mecatina trough region represents an important area based on historical and non-current data. The presence data per month refers strictly to the information available in the cited research document, and does not express the absence of the species outside the months when a presence was validated. The presented information is valid until the following research survey. Reference: Lesage, V., J.-F. Gosselin, J. W. Lawson, I. McQuinn, H. Moors-Murphy, S. Plourde, R. Sears. and Y. Simard. 2018. Habitats important to blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the Western North Atlantic. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/080: iv + 50 p. 2023-07-11 Fisheries and Oceans Canada gddaiss-dmsaisb@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Nature and EnvironmentScience and TechnologyBlue whaleurn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:137090Feeding areaMigratory pathwayBalaenoptera musculusWhaleMarine mammalsGulf of St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence EstuaryAtlantic OceanQuebecNova ScotiaNewfoundlandAquatic wildlifeAquatic animalsAquatic ecosystems Feeding and migration important areas for Blue whalesESRI REST https://gisp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/arcgis/rest/services/FGP/Biological_Sensitivity_Mapping_Oil_Spill_Planning_Response_Quebec_Region_en/MapServer/16 Feeding and migration important areas for Blue whalesESRI REST https://gisp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/arcgis/rest/services/FGP/Biological_Sensitivity_Mapping_Oil_Spill_Planning_Response_Quebec_Region_fr/MapServer/16 Data dictionaryCSV https://pacgis01.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/FGPPublic/Biological_Sensitivity_Mapping_Oil_Spill_Planning_Response_Quebec_Region/DataDictionary_DictionnaireDonnees_CouchesPIEI2022.csv Layer of the feeding and migration important areas for Blue whalesSHP https://pacgis01.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/FGPPublic/Biological_Sensitivity_Mapping_Oil_Spill_Planning_Response_Quebec_Region/18-RorqualBleu_AiresImportantes.zip

A modelling analysis conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) identified these areas as the most suitable habitat for Blue whales: Gulf of St. Lawrence, waters off the southern coast of Newfoundland, the region of Mecatina Trough, the Esquiman Channel and the continental shelf margin off Nova Scotia. They represent important areas for foraging, feeding and socializing for Blue whales. The sources of data used to determine these important areas (by the enclosing boxes method) and the annual and seasonal cycles of Blue whale travel patterns include, but are not limited to, radio and satellite telemetry, passive acoustic monitoring, line-transect aerial surveys, anecdotal reports of observations and modelling.

This layer does not represent the general distribution of the Blue whale. Important areas have been identified by reviewing several sources of information and to the best of researchers' knowledge. Several information about Blue whales, their behaviour and habitat use are still unknown. Data is scarce in some areas during winter periods. Observation efforts mostly occur during the summer period, however, data sources can validate their presence during seasons when the observation effort is lower. The Mecatina trough region represents an important area based on historical and non-current data. The presence data per month refers strictly to the information available in the cited research document, and does not express the absence of the species outside the months when a presence was validated. The presented information is valid until the following research survey.

Reference:

Lesage, V., J.-F. Gosselin, J. W. Lawson, I. McQuinn, H. Moors-Murphy, S. Plourde, R. Sears. and Y. Simard. 2018. Habitats important to blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the Western North Atlantic. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/080: iv + 50 p.

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Delivery Point: Maurice Lamontagne Institute, 850, route de la Mer

Country: Canada

Electronic Mail Address: gddaiss-dmsaisb@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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