Download or read book Beluga Whale Delphinapterus Leucas Use of the Nelson River Estuary Hudson Bay written by Alexander J. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Environmental and Biological Factors Affecting Beluga Whale Delphinapterus Leucas Movement and Distribution in Hudson Bay written by Kristin Westdal and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are an Arctic cetacean with circumpolar distribution. They are known to have distinct, lengthy and consistent migration paths to and from summer and wintering grounds. The Western Hudson Bay beluga population, the largest summering aggregation in the world, inhabits three main estuaries in the summer season. Little protection is afforded to them here, and little is known of the specific details of their summer distribution and factors affecting that distribution. Using a combination of satellite telemetry, aerial photos, satellite data, and visual observations and historical reports, investigations into factors affecting beluga distribution in Western Hudson Bay were conducted. An examination into beluga age class distribution near the Churchill and Seal River estuaries, using aerial survey imagery, suggested that belugas may not be segregating by age in summer, however the Seal River estuary may be more important from a calf-rearing perspective. Belugas use a greater home range than we would expect, based on historical range data, in the face of predation by their main predator, the killer whale (Orcinus orca). Killer whales are sighted more frequently in Hudson Bay than historically, and results presented here show that ice entrapments, occurring with higher frequency in the future, may impact distribution of beluga as killer whales expand their range and occurrence in Hudson Bay. Finally, an assessment of beluga behaviour in the presence of whale-watching vessels showed that beluga response to vessels varied but the probability of travelling behaviour was significantly greater with distance from vessels; belugas also appear to be spending more time interacting with vessels now, as compared to 15 years ago when there were fewer whale-watching vessels. The results found through this research are useful in informing climate change implications, marine-protected area boundaries, policy and marine spatial planning, and subsistence harvest management.
Download or read book Advances in Research on the Beluga Whale Delphinapterus Leucas written by Thomas G. Smith and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Collection of 14 articles representing a cross-section of current research on beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in North American waters.
Download or read book History of White Whale Delphinapterus Leucas Exploitation in Eastern Hudson Bay and James Bay written by Randall R. Reeves and published by Fisheries and Oceans, Information and Publications Branch. This book was released on 1987 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One objective of the present paper was to provide a more complete account of the catch history and to use all available data in making a new estimate of initial population size. A second objective relates to ongoing field work in the Eastmain region by other researchers. Census surveys, observations of behavior, and biological sampling might be accomplished and interpreted more efficiently if the following historical facts were known: (a) which river mouths were traditionally visited by white whales; (b) approximate dates of arrival at and departure from the river mouths by the whales; (c) routes followed and pattern of movement between rivers; (d) relative age- and sex-compositions of populations or parts of populations using the different river mouths; (e) year-to-year or within-year changes in "condition" of whales (e.g. gauged by their reported oil yield or by the qualitative comments of those who caught and flensed them); and (f) observations of social structure and behavior of whales, as observed and noted by early visitors to the Eastmain coast.
Download or read book Movements of Beluga Tagged at the Nastapoka River written by D. W. Doidge and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) occupy Hudson Bay in summer where they are an important source of country-food for the Inuit. Two stocks have been identified; the western stock is estimated to contain at least 23,000 animals, approximately 15 times larger than the eastern stock (Richard et al 1990). The two stocks are genetically distinct (Brown et al 1997). The eastern stock has been designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as threatened and a quota system has been applied to the Inuit subsistence harvest on the northern Quebec coast. The western stock has no quota since harvest levels are lower than the estimated sustainable yield. Aerial surveys in 1985 (Smith and Hammill 1986) and 1993 (DFO unpublished) indicate the summer distribution of beluga whales extends between the Quebec coast (Nunavik) and Sanikiluaq (Belcher Islands). Also, satellite tags, which transmitted for a short time in 1993, showed one whale, tagged at the Little Whale River on the Quebec coast, frequented areas offshore as far as the Belchers. These data would indicate a common stock between Nunavik and Sanikiluaq. However, genetic analysis indicates whales harvested in Sanikiluaq are more similar genetically to western Hudson beluga than those caught along the eastern Hudson Bay coast, just 100 km distant. The conflicting scientific information (genetic make-up vs distribution data) has led some Nunavik Inuit to question the scientific validity of the existing co-management regime and quota system. The number of satellite tags deployed in 1993 (DFO unpublished data) has not been sufficient to clearly resolve the movements of whales that frequent the Quebec coast. The hunters' association of the Nunavik Inuit (HFTA) requested that the issue of stock identity be resolved. A resolution supporting the satellite tagging project was passed at the HFTA's annual general meeting in 1998. With support from World Wildlife Fund Canada, Fisheries and Oceans and Makivik Corporation, three satellite tags were deployed on belugas at the Nastapoka River in 1999. ... In August, the tagged animals frequented the offshore between the mainland coast and the Belcher Islands, an area indicated to be the summer distribution of belugas previously by aerial surveys. While the single, gray animal ventured to the Belcher Islands, the time spent in that vicinity accounted for a small proportion of the time it was tracked (ca. 8%). The two adults with calves did not venture as far to the west. The sample size of tagged animals is too small to estimate the probability of animals that occupy the Nastapoka being caught at the Belchers. However, analysis of the DNA of belugas harvested at the Belchers indicates that the number having the eastern Hudson Bay haplotype is low. The degree of site-tenacity and estuarine use appears to be variable. Other studies demonstrate that belugas will return to the locality of tagging (Orr et al 1998, DFO unpublished data). However, the three whales tagged by us, did not appear to re-enter Nastapoka Estuary. Radio transmitters are becoming more dependable enabling data to be gathered over a longer period of time. Two tags transmitted long enough to indicate that whales remain in the Hudson Bay Area until early October. The start of a northward migration, presumably to over-wintering grounds in Hudson Strait, was documented for one whale until its transmitter sopped signaling near Puvirnituq in late October. A large quantity of data has been received from these satellite tags. The inshore areas of beluga habitat, such as estuaries, are well documented from traditional knowledge and scientific studies. The data from satellite tagged whales show areas, offshore of the Nastapoka Islands, where the whales have remained for several days. The bathymetry of these locations will be examined in relation to the whales' diving activities to better understand habitat-use of beluga whales in eastern Hudson Bay. This analysis is scheduled for Winter 2000-01. The method of using surgical pins to attach the transmitter to the whale's back remains invasive, but no alternative has yet been found. The number of whales tagged has been kept to a minimum. A thorough review of the dive data will determine if a realistic correction factor to account for submerged whales, not counted during aerial surveys can be estimated, or whether further tagging is needed"--ASTIS [online] database.
Download or read book Beluga Whale Delphinapterus Leucas Vocalizations and Their Relation to Behaviour in the Churchill River Manitoba Canada written by Elly Chmelnitsky and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beluga -- acoustic communication -- call classification -- behaviour -- Hudson Bay.
Download or read book Beluga Whales written by Anthony R. Martin and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dr Anthony Martin is a biologist and in this book he explores what we know about the beluga or white whale, and relates to the reader what research is currently being carried out on this species.
Download or read book A Little Less Arctic written by Steven H. Ferguson and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2010-05-30 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Arctic Canada, Hudson Bay is a site of great exploration history, aboriginal culture, and a vast marine wilderness supporting large populations of marine mammals and birds. These include some of the most iconic Arctic animals like beluga, narwhal, bowhead whales, and polar bears. Due to the challenges of conducting field research in this region, some of the mysteries of where these animals move, and how they are able to survive in such seemingly inhospitable, ice-choked habitats are just now being unlocked. For example, are polar bears being replaced by killer whales? This new information could not be more salient, as the Hudson Bay Region is undergoing rapid environmental change due to global warming, as well as increased pressures from industrial development interests. A Little Less Arctic brings together some of the world’s leading Arctic scientists to present the current state of knowledge on the physical and biological characteristics of Hudson Bay.
Download or read book Distribution of Beluga in Western Hudson Bay with Respect to Estuary Habitat Characteristics and Vessel Traffic written by Emma Ausen and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Western Hudson Bay is undergoing habitat changes associated with increased anthropogenic activities including vessel traffic from shipping and whale watching ecotourism. These river estuaries are habitat for the Western Hudson Bay (WHB) beluga whale, the largest know beluga population. This thesis addresses two important questions, which environmental conditions contribute to critical beluga habitat in the western Hudson Bay, and what is the response of beluga to tourism vessel traffic in the Churchill River estuary. Beluga were identified in nadir imagery from a 2018 summer aerial survey of the Nelson, Churchill and Seal River estuaries, and oblique images taken of the Churchill River estuary in August 2020. The location of beluga within each survey area was modeled with respect to remotely sensed environmental data. Beluga habitat use was found to be associated with rivers as well as the concentration of total suspended sediments, and colored dissolved organic matter. Using environmental characteristics, a previously unidentified important habitat unit for beluga was discovered in the Knife River estuary. Distance measurements between belugas and tourist vessels were obtained from oblique images using trigonometric equations and georeferencing points taken in the Churchill River estuary. Through distance analysis, it was found that beluga showed attraction to kayaks, avoidance to paddleboards, and independence from motorboats and Zodiacs. Results from this thesis should inform management decisions for the WHB beluga population, including the establishment of a National Marine Protected Area which is currently under consideration.
Download or read book Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences written by and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Status Report on the Beluga White Whales Delphinapterus Leucas in Ungava and Eastern Hudson Bay written by Randall R. Reeves and published by . This book was released on 1988 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Population Genetics of Hudson Bay Beluga Whales Delphinapterus Leucas written by Samuel John Mancuso and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Distribution of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Delphinapterus Leucas in Winter written by Donald J. Hansen and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Studies of White Whales Delphinapterus Leucas and Narwhals Monodon Monoceros in Greenland and Adjacent Waters written by and published by Museum Tusculanum Press. This book was released on 1994 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Beluga Whales written by Ruth Owen and published by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. This book was released on 2013-01-15 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes the physical characteristics, life cycle, and natural environment of beluga whales, and the ways in which they have adapted to their frigid environment.
Download or read book Status Report on the Beluga Whale western Hudson Bay Population Delphinapterus Leucas in Canada written by P. R. Richard and published by . This book was released on 1993 with total page 19 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Status Report on the Beluga white Whale western Hudson Bay Population Delphinapterus Leucas in Canada written by P. R. Richard and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 19 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
