Understanding the movements of baleen whales:

using satellite telemetry and GIS data to understand whale migration patterns in

the Gulf of MaineWinn JP 2002

“Studying the behavior of large whales has been likened to astronomy. The observer glimpses his subjects, often at long range; he cannot do experiments, and he must continually try to infer from data that are usually inadequate”

(Whitehead 1985)

Winn JP 2002

Center for Coastal Studies and large whale disentanglement

Photos courtesy CCS

Satellite telemetry

•Buoy provides •Satellite locations•VHS transmission

•Provides a means to relocate entangled whales

Photos courtesy CCS

Understanding Whale Movements in Relation to Oceanographic Features

Bathymetry

Sea Surface Temperature

Chlorophyll

Whale track

Visualizing the Gulf of Maine

Bathymetry effects •Circulation•Currents•Tidal mixing•Upwelling

Whale track locations in the Gulf of Maine

Whale movements in relation to

bathymety data

The Humpback Whale “Verga”and its

Track Over the Bathymetry Data

Movements from between productive regions from Stelwagon Bank to George’s Bank

Images of Bathymetry Data Underlying Verga’s Track

View of Cape Cod and Grand Banks from the North

Verga’s Track Over Sea Surface Temperature

Movements along frontal zones

Winn JP 2002

Potential Problems with Entanglement Data

•Normal behavior?

•Animal health is unknown or poor

•Drag from buoy or gear may influence moments

•Extensive harassment of the animals has occurred

Photos courtesy CCS

Current Related Projects:Low Drag Buoy Construction

Current CCS Buoy

Low Drag Buoy Currently Under Construction at UMaine

Net Gun Deployment Under Development at UMaine

•New technique for Satellite Tag Deployment

Questions ?

Photos by JW & BW 2002