Researchers from the University of Maine and the New England Aquarium are collaborating to enhance predictive modeling for the North Atlantic right whale population. These efforts aim to anticipate the whales’ whereabouts more accurately to aid conservation strategies. Camille Ross, an associate research scientist at the New England Aquarium, highlighted the challenges in monitoring the whales due to their vast oceanic range. Ross emphasized the significance of advanced modeling techniques in filling data gaps when direct observation is not feasible.
The lead author, Camille Ross, detailed their study published in the Endangered Species Research journal, titled “Incorporating prey fields into North Atlantic right whale density surface models.” The study sheds light on the precarious status of the North Atlantic right whales, with only around 370 of these endangered creatures left worldwide, including approximately 70 reproductive-age females.
Ross emphasized the necessity of predicting the whales’ movements as they adapt to changing ocean conditions, including locating new feeding grounds. By analyzing zooplankton, particularly calanoid copepods, which are the whales’ primary food source, researchers can forecast whale migration patterns based on adequate food availability. Ross highlighted the importance of ongoing zooplankton sampling programs and statistical algorithms to create comprehensive images of prey locations in the Northwest Atlantic.
Continuous refinement of the models is crucial, Ross noted, as new data emerges to enhance accuracy. The effectiveness of the models heavily relies on the quality of underlying data, emphasizing the need for ongoing field observations to inform predictive models, especially in the context of shifting climate patterns. Matt Abbott, Fundy Baykeeper and Marine Program Director at the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, underscored the significance of such research in informing decision-makers and collaborating with industries to mitigate negative impacts on the right whale population.
Abbott stressed the critical importance of safeguarding these whales due to their dwindling numbers, especially breeding females. He highlighted the declining presence of right whales in the Bay of Fundy over the past decade, attributing it to ecological changes that have compelled the whales to seek alternate habitats for sustenance.