Local movements and site-tenacity of minke whale in Iceland in relation to feeding and a northward distribution shift

Sofia Albrecht; Jean Luc Jung; Laura Lazar; Marguerite Bathie; Delphine Lémery-Peissik; Marianne Helene Rasmussen

doi:10.1080/17451000.2021.2016839

Local movements and site-tenacity of minke whale in Iceland in relation to feeding and a northward distribution shift

Sofia Albrecht^*, Jean Luc Jung, Laura Lazar, Marguerite Bathie, Delphine Lémery-Peissik, Marianne Helene Rasmussen

^*Corresponding author for this work

University of Iceland

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Population dynamics, movement patterns and migratory routes of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the North Atlantic are not yet fully understood. Small-scale movements of minke whales within Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland, were analysed and discussed in relation to population dynamics in the North Atlantic. Local distribution and abundance of minke whales were investigated on both individual and population basis. Data were obtained through continuous sighting surveys from 2005 to 2018, conducted by trained volunteers using whale watching vessels as opportunistic research platforms. Variations in abundance might reflect a species distribution shift to higher latitudes. Competition for prey and the general movement of several species from different taxonomic groups support a potential range shift. For the first time, habitat use of minke whales in Skjálfandi Bay was revealed through spatial analysis, as well as small-scale site-tenacity, proven through modelling of distances between individual and random relocations. To improve the status of the declining minke whale population around Iceland we suggest recognition of separate minke whale management units using different areas. Additionally, we encourage the protection of different feeding grounds which will reduce local anthropogenic stressors and likely improve minke whales' coping with climate change and shifts in prey.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	744-761
Number of pages	18
Journal	Marine Biology Research
Volume	17
Issue number	7-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2021.2016839
Publication status	Published - 10 Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank the Húsavík Research Centre, the Húsavik Whale Museum, all students and volunteers for providing the long-term data catalogue. Thanks to North Sailing ( https://www.northsailing.is/ ) and Gentle Giants for providing their vessels as a free research platform. Our gratitude is also expressed towards Jean-François Gerard for his help during the analysis. This work was financed by the Academic Scholarship for graduate students of the German DAAD (57380758–91687232) and the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union in collaboration with the IMBRSea Master program.

Funding Information:
This work was supported by German Academic Exchange Service [Grant Number 57380758 - 91687232]. We thank the H?sav?k Research Centre, the H?savik Whale Museum, all students and volunteers for providing the long-term data catalogue. Thanks to North Sailing (https://www.northsailing.is/) and Gentle Giants for providing their vessels as a free research platform. Our gratitude is also expressed towards Jean-Fran?ois Gerard for his help during the analysis. This work was financed by the Academic Scholarship for graduate students of the German DAAD (57380758?91687232) and the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union in collaboration with the IMBRSea Master program.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Other keywords

climate change
Feeding
marine mammals
protected species

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10.1080/17451000.2021.2016839

Cite this

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title = "Local movements and site-tenacity of minke whale in Iceland in relation to feeding and a northward distribution shift",

abstract = "Population dynamics, movement patterns and migratory routes of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the North Atlantic are not yet fully understood. Small-scale movements of minke whales within Skj{\'a}lfandi Bay, Iceland, were analysed and discussed in relation to population dynamics in the North Atlantic. Local distribution and abundance of minke whales were investigated on both individual and population basis. Data were obtained through continuous sighting surveys from 2005 to 2018, conducted by trained volunteers using whale watching vessels as opportunistic research platforms. Variations in abundance might reflect a species distribution shift to higher latitudes. Competition for prey and the general movement of several species from different taxonomic groups support a potential range shift. For the first time, habitat use of minke whales in Skj{\'a}lfandi Bay was revealed through spatial analysis, as well as small-scale site-tenacity, proven through modelling of distances between individual and random relocations. To improve the status of the declining minke whale population around Iceland we suggest recognition of separate minke whale management units using different areas. Additionally, we encourage the protection of different feeding grounds which will reduce local anthropogenic stressors and likely improve minke whales' coping with climate change and shifts in prey.",

keywords = "climate change, Feeding, marine mammals, protected species",

author = "Sofia Albrecht and Jung, {Jean Luc} and Laura Lazar and Marguerite Bathie and Delphine L{\'e}mery-Peissik and Rasmussen, {Marianne Helene}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank the H{\'u}sav{\'i}k Research Centre, the H{\'u}savik Whale Museum, all students and volunteers for providing the long-term data catalogue. Thanks to North Sailing ( https://www.northsailing.is/ ) and Gentle Giants for providing their vessels as a free research platform. Our gratitude is also expressed towards Jean-Fran{\c c}ois Gerard for his help during the analysis. This work was financed by the Academic Scholarship for graduate students of the German DAAD (57380758–91687232) and the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union in collaboration with the IMBRSea Master program. Funding Information: This work was supported by German Academic Exchange Service [Grant Number 57380758 - 91687232]. We thank the H?sav?k Research Centre, the H?savik Whale Museum, all students and volunteers for providing the long-term data catalogue. Thanks to North Sailing (https://www.northsailing.is/) and Gentle Giants for providing their vessels as a free research platform. Our gratitude is also expressed towards Jean-Fran?ois Gerard for his help during the analysis. This work was financed by the Academic Scholarship for graduate students of the German DAAD (57380758?91687232) and the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union in collaboration with the IMBRSea Master program. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.",

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doi = "10.1080/17451000.2021.2016839",

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AU - Jung, Jean Luc

AU - Lazar, Laura

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AU - Lémery-Peissik, Delphine

AU - Rasmussen, Marianne Helene

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N2 - Population dynamics, movement patterns and migratory routes of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the North Atlantic are not yet fully understood. Small-scale movements of minke whales within Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland, were analysed and discussed in relation to population dynamics in the North Atlantic. Local distribution and abundance of minke whales were investigated on both individual and population basis. Data were obtained through continuous sighting surveys from 2005 to 2018, conducted by trained volunteers using whale watching vessels as opportunistic research platforms. Variations in abundance might reflect a species distribution shift to higher latitudes. Competition for prey and the general movement of several species from different taxonomic groups support a potential range shift. For the first time, habitat use of minke whales in Skjálfandi Bay was revealed through spatial analysis, as well as small-scale site-tenacity, proven through modelling of distances between individual and random relocations. To improve the status of the declining minke whale population around Iceland we suggest recognition of separate minke whale management units using different areas. Additionally, we encourage the protection of different feeding grounds which will reduce local anthropogenic stressors and likely improve minke whales' coping with climate change and shifts in prey.

AB - Population dynamics, movement patterns and migratory routes of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the North Atlantic are not yet fully understood. Small-scale movements of minke whales within Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland, were analysed and discussed in relation to population dynamics in the North Atlantic. Local distribution and abundance of minke whales were investigated on both individual and population basis. Data were obtained through continuous sighting surveys from 2005 to 2018, conducted by trained volunteers using whale watching vessels as opportunistic research platforms. Variations in abundance might reflect a species distribution shift to higher latitudes. Competition for prey and the general movement of several species from different taxonomic groups support a potential range shift. For the first time, habitat use of minke whales in Skjálfandi Bay was revealed through spatial analysis, as well as small-scale site-tenacity, proven through modelling of distances between individual and random relocations. To improve the status of the declining minke whale population around Iceland we suggest recognition of separate minke whale management units using different areas. Additionally, we encourage the protection of different feeding grounds which will reduce local anthropogenic stressors and likely improve minke whales' coping with climate change and shifts in prey.

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ER -

Local movements and site-tenacity of minke whale in Iceland in relation to feeding and a northward distribution shift

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Other keywords

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