Temporal Variability of Cetaceans near Halifax, Nova Scotia

Annual and seasonal trends in sightings of coastal cetaceans near Halifax, Nova Scotia, were studied using observations from whale watching and dedicated research vessels from late spring to early fall of 1996 to 2005. Four species of cetaceans routinely used the area during the summer: White-beaked...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Canadian Field-Naturalist
Main Authors: Simard, Peter, Lawlor, Jennifer L., Gowans, Shannon
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club 2006
Subjects:
White-beaked Dolphin
Lagenorhynchus albirostris
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
Lagenorhynchus acutus
Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
Minke Whale
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Fin Whale
Balaenoptera physalus
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
Eubalaena glacialis
Fin whale
Harbour porpoise
minke whale
North Atlantic
White-beaked dolphin
Online Access:https://www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/view/252
https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v120i1.252
Description
Summary:Annual and seasonal trends in sightings of coastal cetaceans near Halifax, Nova Scotia, were studied using observations from whale watching and dedicated research vessels from late spring to early fall of 1996 to 2005. Four species of cetaceans routinely used the area during the summer: White-beaked and Atlantic White-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris and L. acutus), Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). The dolphin species were temporally separated, with White-beaked Dolphins being common earlier in the summer than White-sided Dolphins. White-sided Dolphins were unusually abundant in 1997, and were found in larger groups (mean = 46.5 ± 46.19 sd) than Whitebeaked Dolphins (mean = 9.1 ± 5.19 SD). The area also appears to be an important habitat for dolphin calves and juveniles of both species. Fin Whales (B. physalus) were commonly observed in relatively large groups in 1997, but were uncommon or absent in other years. Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Blue Whales (B. musculus) and North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) were uncommon in the area, although Humpback Whales were sighted frequently in 1997. Increased numbers of White-sided Dolphins, Fin and Humpback whales in 1997 may be explained by increased prey abundance and decreased sea-surface temperatures.

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