Temporal trends of PBDEs and emerging flame retardants in belugas from the St. Lawrence Estuary (Canada) and comparisons with minke whales and Canadian Arctic belugas

Baleen whale movements were monitored from a hillside on the north shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary from 28 June to 27 September 1979. No diurnal or tidal relationships were apparent for the two most abundant species, the minke and finback. Single minke whales were seen almost daily. Adult pairs were only seen on four dates, and no adult-calf pairs were observed. Twenty-two small minkes were observed; three were possibly 1st-year calves. Finbacks occurred singly and in groups, particularly later in the field season. Resightings of distinctive finbacks indicate that adult pairings are temporary. One finback had been seen in the area in 1973–1975. Adult–calf pairs and seven single juveniles were also seen. Observations of finbacks pursued by whale watchers provide evidence that some regulation of the rapidly growing whale-watching industry may be warranted. Blue whales and humpback whales were seen far less frequently than minkes and finbacks. The relative abundances of minke, finback, and humpback were similar to 1973–1974 in the same area: however, blue whales were seen far more frequently in the past.

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Feeding of sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus on minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata in the St Lawrence Estuary, Canada

Journal of Fish Biology ◽

10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02842.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

pp. 338-343 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

O. C. Nichols ◽

U. T. Tscherter

Keyword(s):

Petromyzon Marinus ◽

Balaenoptera Acutorostrata ◽

Lawrence Estuary ◽

Minke Whales ◽

Sea Lampreys ◽

St Lawrence Estuary

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Identity, Abundance, and Present Status of Populations of White Whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in North America

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f75-123 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 1047-1054 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

D. E. Sergeant ◽

P. F. Brodie

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Local Population ◽

Canadian Arctic ◽

Delphinapterus Leucas ◽

Mackenzie Delta ◽

Lawrence Estuary ◽

The North ◽

North American Arctic ◽

Exploration Drilling ◽

St Lawrence Estuary

White whales, Delphinapterus leucas, in the North American arctic number at least 30,000 animals. Largest herds identified are about 10,000 animals in western Hudson Bay, at least as many in Lancaster Sound, and at least 5000 summering in the Beaufort Sea. Hunting in the Canadian arctic has decreased in the last decade from 1000 or more to about 500 annually and is clearly well below sustainable yields except in one locality, Cumberland Sound, where the local population of white whales has never recovered from historic depletion. The species is most vulnerable when concentrated in river estuaries in summer, probably for reproduction. The species’ range has shrunk in the St. Lawrence estuary, a change that can be associated with hydroelectric developments in the last decade. The effects of oil exploration, drilling, and island building in shallow water in the Mackenzie Delta are under study, and developments in oil and gas could have an influence on other populations in the Canadian arctic. Tourism related to this species is increasing, without undue disturbance to date.

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