Bay of Fundy 2009 Field Season

RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 3

Volume 18, Number 2 December 2009

In this issue:

Bay of Fundy 2009 Field Season The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium: Celebrating 25 Years Celebrating Right Whales The Entanglement and Mortality Update: Keeping a Watchful Eye on Right Whales Remembering a Dedicated Pilot and a Dear Friend Roseway Basin Expedition: 2009 Sponsored Whale Update The Right Whale Report Card: How Many Right Whales in 2008? Marine Mammal Researchers Flock to Quebec City Holiday Gift Ideas A whale lifts its flukes near South Wolf island, east of Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Editor: in the Bay of Fundy. Photo: J. Taylor/NEAq Marilyn Marx This 30th season was a typically Contributors: Bay of Fundy busy one for us. We saw some interesting Moira Brown Amy Knowlton whales, discovered some very unusual Cyndi Browning Kerry Lagueux 2009 Field Season Jonathan Cunha Marilyn Marx right whale distributions and were Yan Guilbault Heather Pettis By Jonathan Cunha and Marilyn Marx bombarded with media coverage. And in Philip Hamilton Monica Zani addition to our usual surveys in the Bay This season marked our 30th year con- of Fundy, a few members of the team set Editor’s Note: In Right Whale Research News ducting surveys in the Bay of Fundy— out to Roseway Basin for 10 days to Vol.18 (1), May 2009, in the article Winner of one of the longest, most intensively stud- survey for right whales south of Nova Help us Name a Whale, we referred to the right ied marine mammal habitats in the world! Scotia. (See Roseway Basin Expedition). whale Romeo as Catalog #3520 but his correct Catalog number is 3250. These annual surveys have provided 44% Between August 4 and September 26 of the total sightings in the Right Whale the right whale team aboard r/v Nereid Right Whale Research News is produced and published by the New England Aquarium. Catalog and 85% of the entire population was able to get out to sea 23 times. And We welcome your comments and suggestions! has been seen in this habitat at some for one of the first times ever we actually point in their lives. And for the right witnessed the steady arrival of right whale team, the Bay of Fundy field season whales into the Bay of Fundy. On our every August and September is the high- first survey day, August 4, only two right light of the year—a chance to get away whales were sighted—a mother and her from desks and computers, get out on the calf—despite extensive coverage of the water and see the whales we study! After Grand Manan Basin. But six weeks later, spending months at a time only looking on September 15, 54 right whales were at photographs of right whales, it’s always sighted in the Bay—the maximum daily Read more about a particular aspect a great thrill to see the enormous, living, count for the season! The daily of our project at neaq.org. breathing creatures themselves! Continued on page 2 RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 4

Bay of Fundy 2009 Season distribution of whales throughout the bay and a single male. Though the location of Continued from page 1 on a given day. And the distribution these sightings was highly unusual as they became really interesting in late August. were many miles north of the usual habi- counts stayed fairly high for the remain- On August 27, our team received a tat, it was just the beginning! For nearly der of September, and we know from call from a local whale watch boat report- two weeks right whales consistently other researchers in the area that right ing right whales just north and east of aggregated around the Wolves, the island whales were present in the bay at least East Quoddy Head on Campobello chain north of Grand Manan Island, with through October. In addition to the 23 Island, a quick 30 minutes from our dock another, smaller aggregation of mostly survey days on the Nereid, our second, (instead of our more typical two-hour mothers and calves about 15 miles to the smaller research vessel, Callisto, had seven commute to the whales). Even though it east of the Wolves (see map). This is not survey days. Having two vessels coordi- was early afternoon and the weather was the first time a concentration of right nating survey efforts allowed us to cover rough offshore, we were able to jump on whales had been seen so far north, but it more area and sight more right whales, as the boat and check it out. We found three last happened in 1981! Fortunately, both well as get a better understanding of the whales in the area—a mother/calf pair research vessels (Nereid and Callisto) were

Survey effort and right whale sightings for NEAq research vessels in the Bay of Fundy 2009. Areas A and B show the short term aggregations seen during late August and early September, in relation to the more typically utilized Critical Habitat Area. Map: K. Lagueux/NEAq RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 5

in the water at this point, and we were out of the water as they pursued their able to do more comprehensive surveys unlucky prey. And what a year for birds! of this unusual distribution. On August One of the avian species we see every year 28, the Callisto went south to explore the are puffins, the cute football-shaped black typical right whale aggregation sites and birds with the colorful striped beaks. the Nereid continued to investigate the Typically we only see four or five on any area by the Wolves. Callisto found 15 to given day, but nearly every day we were 20 whales to the south—mostly new for out this season we had lots of puffins— the season—and Nereid found 40 to 50 puffins alone, in pairs or trios and whales—an excellent snapshot of a broad occasionally in flocks of 8 to 12. And distribution that could not have been in late August we even had a rare sighting captured with a single vessel. of an albino puffin! There were two other The Bay of Fundy field season always bird species that seemed much more has some unexpected highlights, and this prevalent this year than in the past: season was no exception. In late August Northern fulmars and jaegers. Fulmars we sighted Ruffian (Catalog #3530),a A rare albino puffin photographed in the Bay of are usually found offshore, so the number Fundy in August 2009. Photo: NEAq young whale that had been photographed of sightings we’ve had is surprising. in January 2008 bearing extensive injuries Jaegers are aggressive seabirds that engage from an entanglement in fishing gear. that have yet to be named. The calves for in kleptoparasitism—harassing other (See Mortalities and Serious Injuries in the most part looked healthy and typical- birds to force them to drop food they RWRN Vol.17 (1) May 2008.) We were ly curious and rambunctious. Often, when are carrying. All of these species are not not sure if he’d survive, so when we a mother is off feeding, the calf will stay uncommon in the Bay of Fundy, but what sighted him in the bay we were thrilled to at the surface and look for something to has been interesting is the number of see that his many wounds had healed, do. Sometimes this will be playing with them. Why are so many humpbacks, fin leaving only a few white scars on his back, seaweed, interacting with other calves, or, whales, fulmars, jaegers, puffins and tuna head and tail. Although we don’t know his on rare occasions, circling our boat when in the bay this year? And could there be age, Ruffian (named for his roughed-up we are shut down. Calves keep themselves any correlation with the right whales’ appearance) is likely a young whale, which occupied by exploring their marine realm. unusual northerly distribution, not seen was probably the main reason for his Unfortunately, some of the mothers and in 30 years? Nature, as always, holds remarkable recovery—young mammals in calves had experienced entanglement puzzles that we have yet to figure out. general have an enhanced ability to heal interactions at some point during their Amid all this excitement, the team compared to older animals. transit from the southeast U.S. calving met with several news reporters from Another exciting sighting for us was ground to the Bay of Fundy (see The both the United States and Canada. that of Pico (Catalog #3270) on Entanglement and Mortality Update…). Reporters from the Bangor Daily News September 10. Her last sighting was in Besides the unprecedented number accompanied us on a day out in the bay January of this year, more than 1,800 of right whales off the Wolves, there were resulting in an excellent front-page article miles away, off the Azores (the island several other unusual sightings in the Bay two days later on August 22. Later in chain a thousand miles west of of Fundy that surprised us. We had an the season, a Canadian Broadcasting Portugal)—an extremely unusual place for influx of humpback whales in areas that Corporation (CBC) reporter joined the right whales to be seen. (See Right Whale are usually the exclusive domain of right team for a day to interview our Canadian Sightings… in RWRN Vol. 18 (1) May whales. In years past, a big humpback team members for a story that premiered 2009). In her September Bay of Fundy count would be three in one day, but on on CBC National News. Lastly, a sighting, Pico was the focal animal in a one day in September we counted 15! freelance writer and photographer spent surface active group. Will her next sight- Early in the season, we also saw big a few days with us for a story to be ing be off the Azores again? We’ll just groups of feeding fin whales (the second published in Down East magazine next have to wait and see… largest whale on earth) usually at a summer. The media coverage was a As you read in our last issue, right distance. The blows from these 20 plus, perfect tribute to the 30th anniversary whales had a record breaking calving tightly aggregated animals were awesome of the Right Whale Research Program’s year—39 calves were born! (See The Busy to behold—the sound of their powerful efforts in the Bay of Fundy. (and… in RWRN Vol. 18 (1) May 2009.) exhalations and the wall of 20-foot-high Twenty of those mother/calf pairs were spouts coming in quick succession. photographed in the Bay of Fundy this Schools of bluefin tuna seemed to be summer, including Calvin (see Sponsored everywhere in the bay, especially in whale…), Mavynne, Baldy, Punctuation, September. It was always exciting to Slash, Morse, Silt, Picasso, and 12 others watch those magnificent fish leaping RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 6

4 The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium: Celebrating 25 Years By Heather Pettis

In 1986, a small group of right whale important opportu- researchers realized that, while their nity for researchers, individual work toward understanding managers, conserva- and saving the North Atlantic right whale tionists, industry was important, pooling resources, knowl- representatives, edge and data would give the species the students and others The New Bedford Whaling Museum Theater is the perfect venue for Consortium presentations. Photo: Y. Guilbault/NEAq best chance of recovery and survival. As interested in issues a result, the North Atlantic Right Whale facing right whales Consortium was born. to come together. Following the birth of the This year, approxi- Consortium, the plight of the right whale mately 150 people garnered much publicity and, for a few attended the annual years, essential financial support. What meeting. started as a relatively small group has The agenda for grown to more than 100 entities, the two-day event including research, academic, and included 30 oral conservation organizations; shipping presentations and, and fishing industries; whale watching for the first time, companies; technical experts; U.S. and a video session. Canadian government agencies; and state Additionally, an and provincial authorities, all of whom are open forum on the dedicated to the conservation and recov- challenges that ery of the North Atlantic right whale. fishing gear presents The mission of the North Atlantic to the recovery and Right Whale Consortium is to ensure survival of right the long-term conservation and recovery whales was led by of right whales in the North Atlantic. Dr. Scott Kraus of Members of the Consortium are the New England committed to the coordination and Aquarium, Dr. integration of the wide variety of Charles Mayo of the databases and research efforts related Provincetown Center to right whales, and to providing the for Coastal Studies, best scientific advice and recommenda- Kent Smedbol of tions for right whale conservation to Fisheries and Consortium members mingle in the Jacobs Family Gallery beneath the relevant management groups. The Oceans Canada, and skeleton of Catalog #1909 and her calf. Photo: Y. Guilbault/NEAq Consortium maintains a website Diane Borggaard of (www.rightwhaleweb.org) where you the National Marine Fisheries Service. scientist and Consortium chair, gave the may learn more about right whales and Presentations covered a wide variety Annual Right Whale Report Card, which efforts to protect them. of topics including population biology aims to summarize the status of right Each year, the Consortium holds a and distribution, data management, whales. This year’s report card was also meeting in the fall. As it has been for acoustics, management updates, shipping presented to the International Whaling the last six years, the 2009 Annual and entanglement conflict and Commission in May 2009. The report Meeting of the North Atlantic Right mitigation, and genetics. Several card included updates on the status of the Whale Consortium was held at the researchers from the New England population, mortalities and entanglement New Bedford Whaling Museum in New Aquarium’s Right Whale Research events, and a summary of current Bedford, Mass. The meeting, which took Program presented at the meeting. management and research efforts. place November 17-18, represents an Dr. Moira Brown, Aquarium senior (For an abbreviated version see The Right RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 7

Whale Report Card). Other presentations by New England Aquarium Right Whale researchers included Status Update of the North Atlantic Photographic Indentification Catalog by Monica Zani, Population Trends in North Atlantic Right Whales: Why Haven’t They Increased Like Eubalaena australis? by Scott D. Kraus, Changes in North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) Cow-Calf Association Times and Use of the Calving Ground: 1993-2005 by Philip Hamilton, and a Canadian management update by Moira Brown. In addition to the research, conservation and management goals held by Consortium members, educating the public and engaging young people in our efforts has become a priority. This year, the Calvineers, a group of middle school students from Castine, Maine, demonstrated just how engaged and effective youth can be in promoting awareness of right whale issues. Fresh from presenting to a packed house at the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s Biennial Meeting Catalog #3101 and her calf on the Southeast U.S. calving ground in February 2009. in Quebec City, Canada, (see Marine Photo: K. Mahoney-Robinson/NEAq Mammal Researchers…) the Calvineers, whose mission is, “endangered species recovery through education,” shared their Celebrating Right Whales work with the Consortium. Their presen- On December 5, 2009, right whales and the beginning of their winter calving tation, which is 100% student produced season were celebrated at the Right Whale Festival in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. and tells the history, present state and With the help of many event partners and sponsors, Ocean Conservancy plight of the North Atlantic right whale, hosted the festival to heighten public awareness of both right whales and the has been shared with scores of groups, importance of the Florida/Georgia coast—the only known calving ground of including other schools in Maine and North Atlantic right whale. The event included music, a beach clean up, fun run, educational exhibits, games and much more. Massachusetts, the Maine Maritime Academy and a variety of community Visit http://www.rightwhalefestival.org/to find out more. groups in their local area. Their work has educated and undoubtedly inspired a whole new generation of right whale researchers and supporters. literally come to a standstill due to the toward a common goal: conserving Noticeable at this year’s annual lack of funding. Consortium members and managing the North Atlantic right meeting was the decline in attendees continue to work to raise awareness of whale population. as well as the number of presentations. the impact that this lack of funding has Overall, the Annual Meeting of the Down from 51 last year, the 30 had, and will continue to have, on the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium presentations at the 2009 meeting conservation efforts for this species, while was a tremendous success. As always, represent the lowest number since the at the same time they seek out new it inspired in all attendees a renewed early 2000s. Some of the decline is likely avenues of funding opportunities. sense of excitement and commitment to due to the biennial marine mammal The importance of the annual continue efforts to ensure that the North meeting held just 3 weeks before the meeting to the right whale research Atlantic right whale population lives on. Consortium meeting. However, much, community cannot be overstated. It As it enters its 25th year, we celebrate the if not most, is likely attributable to the brings together people committed to Consortium’s collaborative impact on all dramatic drop in available funding for right whale conservation to share their the good work that has been done to save right whale research and conservation. work, form new collaborations and the North Atlantic right whale. Many important research projects have brainstorm innovative ways to work RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 8

#1019) was sighted south of Nantucket The Entanglement and Mortality Update: carrying rope and a buoy from an unknown gear type, with serious and Keeping a Watchful Eye on Right Whales raw wounds on the tail region. Based on By Amy Knowlton his sighting history, we know he was entangled at some point between April and July. A disentanglement effort was not able to be mounted because of distance from shore and time of day. Radiator has not been seen since so his fate is unknown. On September 4, 2009, Mavynne (Catalog #1151) was sighted near Jeffreys Ledge off the coast of New Hampshire with a severe entanglement—she had rope tightly wrapped around her head and body, had fresh and bleeding wounds on her tail and appeared to be weighed down. The disentanglement team from the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) was able to quickly respond and successfully disentangled her. This was extremely fortunate as the Seconds after the lines entangling her are cut by the disentanglement team, Mavynne opens her mouth and the once-taut line whips away from her head, releasing her. Some of the deep wounds nature of this entanglement would likely she sustained are visible on her lips and head. Taken under NOAA permit 932-1905, with the have lead to her death. Of great concern authority of the ESA. Photo: Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies is that Mavynne is a mother this year and she and her 2009 calf were seen just a Sometimes many of us in the right whale that the job is not yet complete. We need week prior by NEAq in the Bay of Fundy, community feel like we are constantly to continue to monitor the impacts of well to the north of where she was found putting out brush fires, albeit in slow fishing gear entanglement and vessel entangled. During the disentanglement motion. The brush fires that we are faced strikes to see what regulations are work- effort, Mavynne’s calf was nowhere to be with are the unfortunate human-activity ing and where problem areas may still seen, which is somewhat unusual as calves conflicts that right whales continue to exist. In addition, we need to maintain of the year are still nursing. Although struggle with. Over the years, we have constant vigilance to ensure that the gains calves of this age can feed and survive on made slow but steady progress in making that have been made for right whales are their own, it is not known whether certain parts of the right whale’s range a not lost due to other kinds of encroach- Mavynne’s calf might also have been bit safer – by rerouting shipping lanes in ment on their habitats. entangled. We are hoping that is not the Bay of Fundy and off of Boston, Since our last newsletter of May 2009, the case and that mother and calf have creating areas to be avoided on Roseway there have been a number of incidents since reunited. Basin and Great South Channel for ship with right whales that indicate that cer- Just a couple of weeks after Mavynne’s traffic, enacting speed restrictions for tain issues still remain problematic, espe- disentanglement, a one year old, the 2008 vessels over 65 feet in limited areas along cially in relation to entanglement. After calf of Catalog #1321, was found entan- the eastern seaboard, mandating the use an extremely busy and difficult winter gled in Provincetown Harbor off Cape of sinking groundlines and weak links in season with five newly entangled right Cod. The young whale had a tight wrap fishing gear, closing off some high-use whales found in the SEUS (see of gear around the head and was trailing habitats to certain types of fishing gear— Entanglement Update in RWRN Vol.18 (1) a buoy. The PCCS disentanglement team these have been important regulatory May 2009), the spring and summer were responded quickly and after several hours steps taken by federal and state govern- not much better on this front despite the of effort were able to remove all gear. ment agencies at the urging of, and with April 2009 rule mandating the use of In addition to the above three events, support from, the conservation and scien- sinking groundline for lobster gear and we were also very disturbed to see that tific community and the general public. weak links in gillnets (see Sinking ground- two of the other mothers from this year Although it is still too early to know if line… in RWRN Vol.16 (1) 2008). Here and four calves bore new entanglement the above changes are tipping the balance are the latest entanglement cases: injuries when we sighted them in the Bay in the right whale’s favor, we do know On July 18, 2009, Radiator (Catalog of Fundy. These include Baldy’s (Catalog RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 9

#1240) calf (with severe wounds around the tail stock), Silt (Catalog #1817) and her calf (both have minor scars), Slash’s Remembering a Dedicated Pilot (Catalog #1303) calf (new, major scars acquired between August 9 and and a Dear Friend September 15), and Picasso (#2611) and her calf (both have new entangle- By Monica Zani ment scars). We are most concerned about the fate of Baldy’s calf as its On July 1, 2009, Ron Salmon unexpectedly passed away at the age of general condition was not good and 45 at his Fernandina Beach, Fla., home. Ron was a pilot for the city of the wounds around the tail stock were Jacksonville, but each winter Ron took time to fly right whale surveys in quite deep. the southeast critical habitat/calving ground. Over the past 15 years Ron We will continue our work to docu- flew for Environmental Aviation Services, Orion Aviation and Eagle Cap ment all entanglement interactions on Aviation, providing aerial support for manatee and right whale surveys an annual basis and provide this infor- for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, New England Aquarium and Georgia Department of Natural Resources. mation to NOAA Fisheries for manage- I was lucky enough to begin flying with Ron on my very first aerial ment purposes. We also have received survey for right whales back in 1999. From that very first flight Ron set funding from NOAA Fisheries to the bar high, and I quickly became accustomed to his easy and smooth explore the impacts of entanglements on circling, his laid back personality and even all that country music he reproduction and survivorship of right made us listen too. Ron quickly became a close friend and his family, and humpback whales, and to review my family. So many right whale researchers over the past 15 years have the gear taken off both of these species flown with Ron, and they all found ease and comfort in his ability in the to see if we can learn more about the cockpit and found laughter in his jokes during slow surveys. type of rope involved in these events, its I think Ron remembered every observer he ever flew with over the breaking strength, and the complexity years. Don’t let me mislead you; Ron actually forgot most of their names and impact of the entanglement itself. but he did remember faces and odd facts about them. So a typical Since the last newsletter, one dead conversation about past surveys and observers might include “the right whale was documented 90 miles observer who told riddles all day” or “the short one that never spoke in off the New Jersey shore on August 18 the plane” or “the guy by the NOAA vessel Delaware. The who studies turtles.” carcass was extremely decomposed and So regardless of being scavenged on by tiger sharks. whether Ron remem- No samples could be obtained so bered you for giving individual identification will not be up fried food for Lent, possible. This will be documented as falling down while a mortality of undetermined cause. bowling, eating a tin Other issues that we are monitoring of smoked kippers in are Navy sonar and training activities the plane or simply as proposed for various areas along the “the smart one on the team,” he knew every eastern U.S. coast, including near the one of us. calving ground; a major desalination To know Ron was plant proposed for the nearshore waters to love Ron, and I feel off St. Augustine, Fla.; and a petition to so fortunate to have expand critical habitat for right whales. known Ron, flown with We will keep you apprised in future him and laughed with newsletters on the status of these him for so many years. proposed efforts. He is truly missed. We will keep responding to the brush fires as needed with the broader hope that all the past, present and future efforts to protect right whales will lead to a healthier and safer ocean Ron Salmon relaxing at the Fernandina airport after for these animals. a long aerial survey in 2007. Photo: J. Taylor/NEAq RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 10

8 Roseway Basin Expedition: 2009 By Cyndi Browning and Moira Brown

One of the most exciting aspects of right cial fishermen and an Acadian with a rich whale research is getting out to sea and cultural heritage from the area. Rominic finding out which right whales, if any, stands for Robin, Michelle and, Nicki, the have shown up in their usual haunt. One first names of his three daughters. of the right whale habitats that we aren’t Our primary reason for the survey was able to survey every year is Roseway to photographically identify as many right Basin. Located about 30 to 50 nautical whales as possible to contribute to the miles south of Nova Scotia, Roseway individual sighting histories in the right The photo-ID catalog for matching whales Basin is the second critical habitat in whale database. However, as in other at sea. Photo: NEAq Canadian waters (the other is the Bay of areas where right whales congregate, those Fundy). Right whales feed and socialize in on Roseway Basin are threatened this offshore habitat during the summer by vessel strikes. In May 2008, Transport and fall. In some years we have seen more Canada took an unprecedented action than 70 individuals in a single day, while when it implemented an Area To Be in other years despite several days of Avoided (ATBA) on Roseway Basin surveys, no right whales were seen. south of Nova Scotia, which was Weather is also a challenge: Roseway sanctioned by the International Maritime Basin is frequently engulfed in fog in the Organization (IMO) in October 2007. summertime. Ideally, this area would be (See “The Roseway Basin…” in RWRN surveyed every year as some right whales Vol.16 (2), Fall 2007) This means that seen there are not seen elsewhere along vessels of 300 gross tons and above will the coast. In 2009, we were able to secure be recommended to steer clear of the area funding to get back out to Roseway, the from June 1 through December 31 in Moe Brown gets ready to photograph a whale. Photo: NEAq first time since 2006. perpetuity. The objective of the ATBA We were full of cautious excitement was to significantly reduce the risk of when the team of five (Moira Brown, vessel strikes of right whales by re-routing We left the dock with our goals and Cyndi Browning, Harriet Corbett, vessels around the area with the highest track-lines firmly set in our minds, now Jonathan Cunha, Yan Guilbault) boarded concentration of right whales. Thus, our all we needed was some decent weather. the fishing vessel Rominic and headed out secondary reason for the survey was to At sunrise the first morning, we found at 4 a.m. from the town of Metaghan on assess if the boundaries of the ATBA ourselves in thick fog and a rolling sea. the southwest shore of Nova Scotia. Our continue to well represent the distribution We quickly realized that we would need to captain was Roland Comeau, a commer- of the right whales in the area and to revise our plan. To make the most of our assess what other threats time in the fog, we headed to the south- (such as fishing gear) might eastern corner of the ATBA. We planned be present. The boundaries to start our survey here once the fog of the ATBA took on even cleared. After one full day of seasickness greater importance in 2009, for a few of us in the pea soup fog, we when Fisheries and Oceans were all happy to awake at 5 the Canada published the following morning and find that the fog “Recovery Strategy for was gone! The team spent the following Right Whales in Atlantic two days photographing right whales, but Canadian Waters” and they were spread out over a large area and designated Critical Habitat we wondered where the concentration was for right whales using the this year. While we covered the ATBA boundaries. eastern side of the ATBA, we recorded http://www. sararegistry. several species of odontocetes including gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/ common and white-sided dolphins, harbor plans/rs_north_atl_right_ porpoise and a pod of pilot whales. The fishing vessel Rominic, photographed in her home port of whale_0609_e.pdf Unfortunately, tropical storm Danny Metaghan, Nova Scotia, was both home and research platform for the Roseway Basin surveys. Photo: Y. Guilbault/NEAq was headed toward Roseway Basin. After RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 11

each member of the team took an hour accompanies this behavior. At this point, and a half watch to ensure that we didn’t we don’t know the purpose of the head drift close to any other vessels. During pushing behavior or how right whales our watch it was our responsibility to produce the gunshot-like sound. monitor the radar screen and watch out Throughout the observation we kept the wheelhouse windows for ship lights the Rominic in neutral so that we on the horizon. If we came within three wouldn’t pose any danger to Javelin miles of another vessel, we would alert while we took photos. the captain, who would decide if we Over the five days of surveying, we needed to take any action. documented over 70 individual whales The next two days provided us with within the ATBA, and confirmed that amazing sighting conditions. We even the concentration of right whales was in Moe Brown records data while Jonathan Cunha dubbed the area “Lake Roseway” the middle section of that area, as usual. looks on. Photo: NEAq because of the stillness of the water on Our current knowledge of right whales the second day! We spent one of these allows us to support measures like the days documenting the whales in the ATBA to reduce the risk of vessel concentration and then decided to sur- strikes on right whales, and the vey the western part of the ATBA on designation of Roseway Basin as a our final day. Although the whales were critical habitat. However, finally fewer in number and more spread out, obtaining a sample from right whale we found that this effort was well worth Catalog #1036 and watching the head it. About mid-day, we photographed a pushing behavior reminds us that whale that was first seen in 1979 and there is still a great deal to learn had never been biopsy darted. This about this species. whale, Catalog #1036, disappears from the sighting record for long periods of

Cyndi Browning sketches a whale's callosity time and seems to prefer the pattern to help with identification. Photo: NEAq offshore habitats such as Roseway Basin and the Great South Channel. We were able our second day of surveying, we headed to obtain a biopsy sample, for shore; the nearest safe harbor which will tell us if #1036 is was on Cape Sable Island, where we were a male or female and how it to wait out the storm. Holed up in a cabin is related to the rest of the for two days, the team passed the time population. One other note by matching about 10 of the whales worthy sighting the last day photographed during the first two survey was of a lone male Orca. The days, restocking our food supply and photographs will be shared with playing cribbage! a researcher in Newfoundland Once the storm had passed and the who is attempting to track this seas had calmed, the Rominic headed back species in Canadian waters. to the ATBA. We were on survey by 6 Our trip to Roseway Basin a.m. and started our survey in the middle ended with a single right whale of the ATBA. We planned to work our Javelin (Catalog #1112) “head way west throughout the day in order to pushing” around our vessel for cover new ground. By the end of the first over an hour. Head pushing is track-line, we had found the concentra- a behavior in which the whale tion of whales! We spent the next 10 lifts its chin out of the water hours taking data and photographing and then forcefully pushes it the individuals in the immediate area. back down on the water. The By sunset we had photographed over force creates a bow wave that 40 whales and now had to back up is very impressive. We also the data, clean our equipment and have lowered a hydrophone into the Right whale Javelin, at sunset on the last day on Roseway Basin. This adult male, first seen in 1980, dinner before the night watches began. water to hear the “gunshot”— displayed the head pushing behavior for over an Because we stayed out at sea overnight, a percussive sound that typically hour as he swam around the boat. Photo: Y. Guilbault/NEAq RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 12

10 Sponsored Whale Update By Yan Guilbault

After a couple of months collecting data in the Bay of Fundy, the right whale team is now back in Boston and hard at work doing photo-analysis from the summer field season and from our contributors. It appears that only two of our six sponsored whales—Calvin and Piper—were sighted since our last update (See Sponsored Whale…in RWRN Vol. 18 (1) May 2009.). However, photographs from previous years are always being processed, so to get the most recent sighting history for your sponsored whale, visit www.neaq.org/ rwcatalog. We have also included a map of the sponsored whales sighted over the past year to help you visualize their movements. In our last newsletter, we reported that Piper (Catalog #2320) had been Sponsored whale sightings November 2008-October 2009. seen frequently on the calving ground with her newborn calf, but at her next two sightings, in April in Cape Cod Bay, the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) aerial observers did not see a calf with her. We were very concerned that Piper’s calf might have perished somewhere along the migration north, but because Piper was not seen in the Bay of Fundy we could not confirm it. Well, we are happy to report that the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) aerial survey team sighted Piper with her calf in mid-May, a month after the Cape Cod Bay sighting! It turns out that the first PCCS sighting was very brief and the sea-state was rough so the calf was just not seen, and in the second the calf is swimming beneath her mother and easily over- looked. We hope Piper and her calf continue to stay safe from harm. Calvin (Catalog #2223) and her calf of the year successfully made the long journey up the coast from the waters off Calvin photographed on September 1, 2009, in the Bay of Fundy. Photo: S. Kraus/NEAq the southeast U.S. to the Bay of Fundy. RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 13

Both Calvin and her calf were seen several times in the bay, sometimes The Right Whale Report Card: together and sometimes separately (not unusual as calves become more How Many Right Whales in 2008? independent at that age). Research has By Philip Hamilton shown that reproductive right whale females show site fidelity. In other Each year, we assess the right whale December 31, 2008 is presented below. words, they are more likely to bring photo-identification database to see how We know the low value is very low their own calves to the same habitats many different whales it represents—in because only 20% of the 2008 sightings they visited with their mothers. Calvin essence, what the documented population have been matched and confirmed, and brought her last two calves to the Bay in the North Atlantic is. Because there we know the high value is very high of Fundy just as her mother, Delilah, are delays in processing data, this analysis because it unreasonably assumes that all had done with her. requires us to read between the lines a bit. intermatch whales are new to the Catalog As we go to press, we did not have To do this, we have developed standard- (in fact, more than 90% eventually match any new sightings of Phoenix (Catalog ized criteria that can be applied each year Cataloged whales), that all the calves #1705), Snowball (Catalog #1131), to get a low, middle (best estimate) and were photographed well enough to be Starry Night (Catalog #1028) or upper number of whales in the popula- added to the Catalog, and that there has Shackleton (Catalog #2440).However, tion. One term needs to be explained to been no undocumented mortality since it’s possible that some of them were understand these numbers. Whales are 1935 – the first cataloged sighting of a seen last summer or fall by our contrib- given temporary intermatch codes if 1) right whale (in actuality 145 whales have utors. Photographs are being processed two or more sightings match each other, not been seen for six or more years and as fast as possible but it’s not uncom- and 2) none of the sightings have been are presumed to be dead). So our best mon for whales to be identified several matched to a cataloged whale. Some of estimate for 2008 is: 438 unique, pho- months after a field season is completed these whales will eventually be matched tographed right whales—23 more whales (as exemplified by the NEFSC sighting to existing cataloged whales; others will than last year. It is important to remem- of Piper and her calf). We will keep be determined to be “new” to the Catalog ber that this estimate is only based on a sharp lookout for all our sponsored and assigned a Catalog number. Once an whales that have been photographed. whales as new photographs are intermatch whale is given a Catalog num- We know from genetic data that there submitted and will update you in ber, the intermatch code is made inactive. are others out there that we have never the future issues of Right Whale The recent assessment of the absolute seen, but determining how many of these Research News. lowest value, the most accurate middle mystery whales there are is currently Many thanks to all of you for value, and the absolute highest value as of beyond our skills! sponsoring a North Atlantic right whale! Our success in the conservation and protection of such a critically endangered species is largely due to 2009 Report Card Analysis 10/26/09 your generous contributions. Low: 175 individuals Editor’s Note: Just before we went to press 175 Cataloged whales seen in 2008 we were informed by the Whale Center Middle: 438 individuals-best estimate of New England that they recently had 392 Cataloged whales presumed alive in 2008 several sightings of Snowball on Jeffreys 15 Intermatch whales likely to be added to Catalog Ledge, off the coast of Cape Ann, Mass. 31 Calves from 2007 and 2008 likely to be added to Catalog Because we don’t have the latitude and longitude of his sightings we are not able High: 629 individuals to plot them on the map that accompanies 525 All Cataloged whale minus those known dead this article; however they will be included 63 All active intermatch codes without 2007-2008 calves on the sponsorship map in the next issue 41 All 2007 and 2008 calves minus dead of RWRN, along with details about Snowball’s behavior and associations, so stay tuned! RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 14

12 Marine Mammal Researchers Flock to Quebec City By Cynthia Browning

Every two years, marine mammal joined to make a one-time recognition researchers from around the world come of the group by awarding The CALVIN Several members of the right whale together for the Biennial Conference on Project a book of choice from Wiley team here at the Aquarium served as the Biology of Marine Mammals. This Press, $400, and for each student, committee members and reviewers, week-long conference allows researchers a biennial poster and a folding marine ensuring that the high standards of the to present their own studies, learn about mammal identification guide. The scientific program were maintained. work being done worldwide, build panelists said the Calvineers presentation Moira Brown, Scott Kraus and Roz Rolland all gave spoken presentations collaborations, and see old friends. “…demonstrated a unique way to describing their work with right whales. In mid-October, the 18th Biennial communicate science and research being The titles of their presentations were: Conference was held in Quebec City, done in the field of marine mammalogy Science Driven Policy Tools to Reroute Quebec. Quebec City was a perfect venue through the mentorship of our scientists. Vessel Traffic and Enhance the for the event as the historical walled city We applaud and encourage this effort.” Conservation and Recovery of North was a five minute walk from the modern We on the NEAq right whale team are Atlantic Right Whales in Two Canadian conference center. Over the course of five very proud of the Calvineers and their Conservation Areas. days, 282 spoken presentations were given teacher, Bill McWeeny. With the excel- By Moira Brown and 800 scientific posters were displayed. lent presentation they gave to the scien- Population Trends in North Atlantic These presentations and posters covered tists at this marine mammal conference Right Whales: Why Haven’t They a variety of topics in marine mammal they have inspired others to start similar Increased Like Eubalaena australis? science, such as genetics, passive acoustics, programs throughout the world. By Scott D. Kraus; Rosalind M. Rolland; Philip K. Hamilton population monitoring, health assessment The Biennial Conference on the and pathology. The spoken presentations Biology of Marine Mammals is always Giardia and Cryptosporidium in North Atlantic and Southern Right Whales were broken up into 39 sessions that ran an intellectually stimulating experience (Eubalaena glacialis and E. australis). throughout the day. As three presenta- but also an exhausting one—so much By Rosalind M. Rolland; Carla Panuska; tions are given simultaneously in separate information, so much new and interest- Peter B. Best; Ingrid Peters; Meredith lecture halls, attendees had to rely on ing research, so many people to meet in Thornton; Roxanne Gillett; Lora R. Ballweber their program to ensure that they caught that one short week. Two years from the presentations that were important now, in 2011, the to them. The posters were arrayed in a next Biennial large hall and grouped by topic. At the Conference will end of each day the authors stood by their be held in Tampa, posters so attendees could ask questions Fla., and we’ll be and learn more about their work. there to reconnect During one of the afternoon sessions, with colleagues and Amy Knowlton had the pleasure of to share ideas about introducing Bill McWeeny and the the oceans, right Calvineers to the Biennial attendees. whales and the other The Calvineers are a group of 14 seventh marine mammals and eight graders from the Adams School of the world. in Castine, Maine. (For more about the Calvineers see The CALVIN Project…in RWRN Vol. 17 (1) and Vol. 18 (1).) The Calvineers presented their efforts to learn about conducting scientific research and to educate others about the plight of the right whale. They made a powerful presentation that showed how much they have learned and how engaged they are in teaching others. They received a standing ovation, and at the end of the conference The Calvineers hold their model of Calvin in the Quebec City Convention two of the independent award panels Centre at the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Photo: Lisa Burton RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 15

Sponsorship Application or use our secure form at www.neaq.org/rwsponsor ❍ YES, I would like to sponsor a right whale: ❍ Calvin ❍ Phoenix ❍ Piper ❍ Shackleton ❍ Snowball ❍ Starry Night Enclosed is my sponsorship of: Sponsorship Level $45 $75 $125 $250 ❍ $45 Benefits ❍ $75 (❍ North Atlantic right whale plush toy or ❍ T-shirt *) Right whale information packet: photo certificate, ●● ● ● ❍ $125 * information sheet and map of sightings ❍ $250 One year subscription to Right Whale Research News ●● ● ● * (biannual newsletter) * Please circle T-shirt size: S, M, L, XL Disappearing Giants book ●● ● ● North Atlantic right whale plush toy or T-shirt* ●● ● North Atlantic right whale plush toy and T-shirt* ●● (Please print) Recipient’s name, as it should appear on sponsorship certificate North Atlantic right whale plush toy, T-shirt* ● and signed copy of the The Urban Whale ❍ YES, I would like to make an additional *T-shirt is available in small, medium, large and x-large tax-deductible contribution to support the Disappearing Giants by Scott Kraus and Kenneth Mallory, hardcover, 48 pages Right Whale Research Program. The Urban Whale edited by Scott Kraus and Roz Rolland, hardcover, 543 pages

Amount enclosed: Please mail sponsorship packet to: ❍ Me ❍ Please check this box if you would prefer the newsletter (Please print) ❍ Gift recipient to be sent to recipient by email instead of by regular mail.

Your name Email

Address Payment Information: City State Zip Amount enclosed: Please make checks payable to the New England Aquarium. Telephone Or, please charge to: ❍ MasterCard ❍ Visa ❍ American Express ❍ Discover Email

Is this a gift? ❍ yes ❍ no Account number If yes, please complete the following: Expiration date (Please print)

Name on credit card Recipient’s name

Signature Address To make a contribution by phone, please call 617-973-6582. City State Zip Please mail completed form to: Right Whale Research Program Telephone New England Aquarium Central Wharf Email Boston, MA 02110

Thank you for your generous support of our Right Whale Reseach Program. RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 16

Whales You Can Sponsor Who’s Who?

Calvin (female born in 1992) Shackleton (male born in 1994)

Calvin was orphaned at the very early age of 8 months. She went Named after the intrepid Antarctic explorer, Shackleton the whale on to survive an entanglement and, on December 30, 2004, she caused quite a commotion when he ventured up the Delaware was sighted with her first calf. She was named (before her sex River to Camden, NJ. During this adventure he was struck by a was known) for the spunky little character in the Calvin and tug boat, but he survived his ordeal and is now seen regularly. Hobbes comic strip because she exhibited similar traits to the youngster: cleverness, perseverance and adaptability.

Phoenix (female born in 1987) Snowball (an adult male)

Phoenix is a mother and grandmother. In 1997 she was entangled Snowball got his name from a unique scar above his left lip that in fishing gear but managed to escape. She was named for the resembles a big white snowball. We do not know what caused mythical bird that burned but rose from the ashes. Phoenix has this scar, but it does make him easy to identify, even from a survived a serious entanglement and “returned” from almost distance. Snowball has been seen in habitats where only a few certain doom with only a distinctive lip scar to show for her right whales are documented yearly, such as Jeffrey’s Ledge off two-year ordeal. A life-size model of her now hangs at the the coast of New Hampshire and in the waters off Long Island. Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.

Piper (an adult female) Starry Night (an adult male)

Piper was first seen in 1993 and at the time was already at least The many white scars and dots on this whale’s black body two years old. She was named for a scar on her flank that looks reminded researchers of the night sky, so they named him like a small airplane, such as the Piper Cub. She had been Starry Night. He is frequently seen in courtship groups and, entangled twice in a 12-year period, but was seen in April 2005 with the development of new genetic techniques, free of gear. She was sighted with her first calf in January 2006. we may soon know which calves he has fathered. RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 17

15 Holiday Gift Ideas Are you looking for a special gift for someone this holiday season? Here are Order form a few fun and interesting suggestions from our right whale collection. Plus with every purchase you’ll be helping to support right whale research! Please send me Plush Right Whale(s) $20 ea. =$ It covers nearly everything we know Disappearing Giants book(s) $10 ea. =$ about North Atlantic right whales Right Whale T-shirt(s) $20 ea. =$ in a clear and accessible style and T-shirt size: ❍S ❍M ❍L ❍XL includes many photos and Total $ illustrations. Major contributions to The Urban Whale came from the (Please print) Plush right whale* right whale research staff at the New There are many stuffed animals on the England Aquarium. Each chapter market, but this is the only one that looks starts with a personal story about a Your name like a right whale! This little whale is cute, whale, a researcher, or an encounter soft, and accurate too, with callosities, between them. It is the belief of the paddle-shaped flippers and even baleen. editors that right whales have many Address 15 inches long. $20. We only have a lessons to teach us, both about their limited number so order early before lives and about their home in the City State Zip they sell out! oceans. 576 pages. $19.95 (paperback) This book is available through Amazon (www.amazon.com) or by ordering directly Telephone from the publisher: www.hup.harvard.edu/ catalog/ KRAURB.html Email T-shirt* Right Whale Sponsorship 100% cotton in pale gray with great Share the compelling story of a right whale logos. In S, M, L, XL. $20. Payment Information right whale with a friend! By learning about the life of an individual Amount enclosed: Books right whale, a sponsor will gain a Please make checks payable to the New England Aquarium. Disappearing Giants* more in-depth understanding of the Or, please charge to: by Scott Kraus struggles and successes these endan- ❍ MasterCard ❍ Visa ❍ American Express ❍ Discover and Ken Mallory gered whales experience. Sponsors This is a small will receive a Sponsorship Certificate format, hardcover with a picture of their chosen whale, Account number book filled with the book Disappearing Giants, written interesting facts and by Scott Kraus and Ken Mallory of Expiration date lots of color photos. the New England Aquarium, and a 48 pages. $10. colorful and informative four-page Name on credit card pamphlet that includes the life story, *To order the plush right whale, T-shirt or Disappearing Giants, use the handy order composite drawing and map of Signature form on this page. sightings of the specific sponsored whale. It also includes links to our Please mail completed form to The Urban Whale: website and others that allow you to Right Whale Research Program North Atlantic keep track of right whales at all times. New England Aquarium Central Wharf Right Whales at the For more information see the Sponsorship Boston, MA 02110 Crossroads Edited by order form in this newsletter or visit the Scott D. Kraus and following link: Or please fax completed form to 617-973-0242 Rosalind M. Rolland http://www.neaq.org/rwsponsor. Thanks again for your continued support! First published in Each dollar spent through your purchase will go directly 2007, The Urban to the Right Whale Research Team, helping us to continue Whale has just been our mission to protect this critically endangered species. released in paperback! RWNewsFall09FINAL 11/23/09 4:12 PM Page 2

11-09 AG/500

Photos: Y. Guilbault/NEAq

Thank you! We would like to thank all the individuals, This year, funds were used for: organizations and schools that continue to ● Travel to the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in support our research with annual sponsorships Quebec City, Canada and donations. In these difficult economic ● Travel to the Right Whale Consortium meeting in New Bedford, Massachusetts times, with federal research budgets shrinking, ● Enhancement and promotion of educational efforts about right whales your support is more critical than ever before, ● and we truly appreciate your generosity. Purchase of a lens and filter for research camera Sponsorship funds are used by the New ● Monthly fees for an offsite web-based file storage site for secure England Aquarium Right Whale Program to transmission of data files from field teams to the main office support activities that directly contribute to the ● Monthly fees to cover usage charges for a satellite phone used conservation of North Atlantic right whales. during our field efforts