North Atlantic right whale distribution and seasonal occurrence in nearshore waters off New Jersey, USA, and implications for management

Abstract

The presence of endangered North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA is not well understood. Adequate protection of right whales in the face of plans to develop offshore renewable energy requires more information about this species' distribution and occurrence in this region. We present findings from the first year-round study dedicated to marine mammals in New Jersey's nearshore waters using line transect surveys and passive acoustic monitoring. Four groups of right whales, including a cow−calf pair, were sighted. Right whales were detected acoustically during all seasons. Sightings of females and subsequent confirmations of these same individuals in the calving grounds a month or less later illustrate that these waters are part of this species' migratory corridor. Observations of skim-feeding behavior suggest that feeding may also occur in areas farther south than the main feeding grounds. Based on the year-round occurrence of right whales off New Jersey, we recommend that presumed seasonal migratory patterns not be used alone to determine the timing of construction activities or monitoring/mitigation efforts for offshore development. Our results also provide support for the expansion of existing critical habitat to include nearshore waters of the mid-Atlantic.

North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis occurrence in offshore wind energy areas near Massachusetts and Rhode Island, USA

“…In early 2016, the federally designated critical habitats were amended and expanded by 25 227 square nautical miles (n miles) to encompass larger areas -the Northeastern US foraging area and the Southeastern US calving area (NOAA 2016). However, additional sighting records indicate that further E. glacialis habitats may exist, and that existing habitat use patterns may be changing (Weinrich et al 2000, Cole et al 2007, Whitt et al 2013, Khan et al 2014.…”

North Atlantic right whale occurrence near wind energy areas along the mid-Atlantic US coast: implications for management

“…Although this migration pattern explains the distribution of much of the right whale population, recent acoustic studies have detected right whales at times of the year when their occurrence in a region was not previously expected. For instance, Morano et al (2012) and Whitt et al (2013) documented right whale occurrence yearround in Massachusetts Bay and off the New Jersey coast, respectively, while Mellinger et al (2007) detected right whale calls on the Scotian Shelf in late December, when much of the population would be predicted to have left for more southerly areas. Similarly, the aerial survey study by Cole et al (2013) documented right whales in the central Gulf of Maine between November and January.…”

“…Currently, protected right whale habitats include calving areas along the coasts of Florida and Georgia, as well as feeding areas in the Great South Channel (southeast of Cape Cod), Massachusetts Bay, and Cape Cod Bay (NOAA 1994). Since calving and feeding events have been documented outside of critical habitat boundaries (Patrician et al 2009, Foley et al 2011, Whitt et al 2013, other areas may also be ecologically important regions for the right whale population. However, these other known right whale areas of seasonal residency are not afforded the same protections as critical habitats.…”

Expert elicitation of seasonal abundance of North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis in the mid-Atlantic

“…On the basis of our results, we believe that additional survey effort and resulting sightings and/or acoustic data (e.g. Whitt et al 2013) in the mid-Atlantic region are necessary in order to obtain accurate and precise estimates of the seasonal abundances and distribution in the region.…”

“…Pregnant females migrate southward through this area in autumn, and the same females migrate northward in spring with their young calves. In addition, other right whales migrate through the region to feed and socialize there (Whitt et al 2013). The midAtlantic is highly industrialized, and exploration for offshore oil and gas along with construction and operation of offshore wind turbines is anticipated to expand (see, for example, Kraus & Rolland 2007, NOAA 2008, BOEM 2015.…”