Abstract
Spatial distribution and dive behavior of Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whales: potential risk of vessel strikes and fisheries interactions
Highlights
Bryde’s whales Balaenoptera edeni are the only resident baleen whale species in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and are extremely rare, with an esti-Publisher: Inter-Research · www.int-res.comEndang Species Res 32: 533–550, 2017 subspecies (B. e. edeni and B. e. brydei), and that it exhibits very low levels of genetic diversity (Rosel & Wilcox 2014)
While effort was extensive throughout US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters of the northern GoM (Fig. 1a), all verified Bryde’s whale sightings were limited to the region between the 100 and 400 m isobaths in the northeastern GoM from south of Pascagoula, Mississippi, to west of Tampa, FL (Fig. 1b)
GoM Bryde’s whales may be at risk of vessel collisions and bottom longline gear entanglement based on the dive behavior documented from a kinematictagged GoM Bryde’s whale over 3 d and on the spatial distribution of the population, a satellite-tagged GoM Bryde’s whale, major vessel traffic lanes, and the deep water bottom longline fishery
Summary
Bryde’s whales Balaenoptera edeni are the only resident baleen whale species in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and are extremely rare, with an esti-Publisher: Inter-Research · www.int-res.comEndang Species Res 32: 533–550, 2017 subspecies (B. e. edeni and B. e. brydei), and that it exhibits very low levels of genetic diversity (Rosel & Wilcox 2014). The extremely low population abundance, unique evolutionary lineage, low genetic diversity, restricted range, and potential range contraction of GoM Bryde’s whales present conservation concerns (Rosel & Wilcox 2014), and this population is currently being evaluated for potential listing as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act (Federal Register 80 FR 18343). The GoM is highly industrialized, with activities including oil and gas exploration and extraction, fisheries, and shipping This already small population was the most impacted offshore cetacean during the extensive Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, with an estimated 48% of their habitat oiled and an estimated 22% population decline from their pre-spill population size as a result of the spill (DWH MMIQT 2015). These impacts highlight that the potential risks of all GoM industrial activities to this small population need to be better understood to improve their chances of recovering from these losses
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