National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce


 

FY 2011

Confirmation of right whales near a nineteenth-century whaling ground east of southern Greenland

Mellinger, D.K., S. Nieukirk, K. Klinck, H. Klinck, and R.P. Dziak

Biol. Lett., 7(3), 411–413, doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.1191 (2011)


North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) were found in an important nineteenth century whaling area east of southern Greenland, from which they were once thought to have been extirpated. In 2007–2008, a 1-year passive acoustic survey was conducted at five sites in and near the ‘Cape Farewell Ground’, the former whaling ground. Over 2000 right whale calls were recorded at these sites, primarily during July– November. Most calls were northwest of the historic ground, suggesting a broader range in this region than previously known. Geographical and temporal separation of calls confirms use of this area by multiple animals.



Feature Publications | Outstanding Scientific Publications

Contact Sandra Bigley |