Long-Distance Movement of a Sei Whale in the North Atlantic, 2005

Original provider:
Erik Olsen, Institute of Marine Research

Dataset credits:
Erik Olsen and Leif Nøttestad, Institute of Marine Research

Abstract:
Long-distance migration for most species of baleen whales is poorly understood because of the practical difficulties and substantial expense involved in gathering relevant data. Presently, satellite tracking is the only method that delivers the necessary detail and quantitative data on movement patterns on far-ranging marine mammals. In this study, ARGOS satellite tags were deployed on North Atlantic sei whales (<i>Balaenoptera borealis</i>) at the Azores Islands. Data from one whale showed a cumulative 4,102 km movement from tagging at Faial Island in the Azores on 12 April 2005 via the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ) to the Labrador Sea where transmissions stopped
on 7 June 2005. For a portion of the distance from CGFZ to the Labrador Sea, the whale moved in the prevailing direction of the surface current pattern.
Erratic movement in five areas along the
movement track indicates feeding behavior, particularly in the CGFZ. The results show the largescale movement potential of North Atlantic sei whales from wintering grounds to highly productive potential feeding areas in the Labrador Sea.