Influences of underwater bottom topography and geomorphology on minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ) distribution in the Mingan Islands (Canada)

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Naud, Marie-José, Long, Bernard, Brêthes, Jean-Claude, Sears, Richard
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2003
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Canada; Balaenoptera acutorostrata; minke whale
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315403008002h; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315403008002

Minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ) distribution was derived from a 12 year observation programme in the Mingan Islands (Canada) and related to three geological features of the sea-floor: maximum depth, topography and geomorphology. Minke whale distribution was not uniform nor random in relation to maximum depth and topography, however, no evident trend was found. The most prominent factor was the presence of underwater sand dunes, where significantly more minke whales were observed than on any other bottom types. Because sand dunes are the favoured habitat of the minke whale major prey in the study area, an indirect link between minke whale distribution, geomorphology and substrate type is suggested.