Cetacean high-use habitats of the northeast United States continental shelf
Results of the Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program previously demonstrated at a qualitative level that specific areas of the continental shelf waters off the northeastern US coast consistently showed high-density utilization by several cetacean species. They have quantified, on a multispecies basis and with adjustment for level of survey effort, the intensity of habitat use by whales and dolphins, and defined areas of especially high-intensity utilization. The results demonstrate that the area off the northeast US, which is used most intensively as cetacean habitat, is the western margin of the Gulf of Maine, from the Great South Channel to Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge. Secondary high-use areas include the continental shelf edge and the region around the eastern end of Georges Bank. High-use areas for piseivorous cetaceans are concentrated mainly in the western Gulf of Maine and secondarily at mid-shelf east of the Chesapeake region, for planktivores in the western Gulf of Maine and the southwestern and eastern portions of Georges Bank, and for teuthivores in the western Gulf of Maine and the southwestern and eastern portions of Georges Bank, and for teuthivores along the edge of the shelf. In general, habitat use by cetaceans is highest in spring and summer, and lowest in fall and winter.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Rhode Island, Narragansett
- OSTI ID:
- 6990031
- Journal Information:
- Fish. Bull.; (United States), Vol. 84:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Distribution and abundance of cetaceans in the north-central and western Gulf of Mexico. Final report. Volume 3. Appendix B
Distribution and abundance of cetaceans in the north-central and western Gulf of Mexico. Final report. Volume 2. Technical report
Related Subjects
OFFSHORE DRILLING
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
WATER POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CETACEANS
CONTINENTAL SHELF
DECISION MAKING
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PLANNING
TURTLES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
DRILLING
MAMMALS
POLLUTION
REPTILES
VERTEBRATES
WELLS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)