Researchers Richard Sears and Scott Kraus from the Mingan Island Cetacean Study worked to increase blue and right whale distribution knowledge by conducting a survey of the whales’ population in the Flemish Cap, Grand Banks and across the Laurentian Channel. This study reached as far west as the Gully off the coast of Nova Scotia.
In addition to distribution data, the team also collected photos for individual identification, blubber biopsies for genetic and toxin studies, acoustic recordings and attached satellite tags to record movement during migration. The information will assist in identifying areas of critical habitat for these species.
