Photographic identification of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) off the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract:

Although fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are commonly encountered throughout most of the North Atlantic, little is known about their movement patterns and stock structure. In the summer, Northwest Atlantic fin whales are commonly sighted in the Gulf of Maine, the Bay of Fundy (Agler et al. 1990), the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Estuary (Sears and Williamson 1982, Kingsley and Reeves 1998), and offshore areas of Nova Scotia (Hooker et al. 1999). Fin whales are occasional visitors to the coastal waters near Halifax, Nova Scotia, during the summer (zero to four sightings per season, 1996, 1998–2004, unpublished data) however in 1997 an unusually high number of fin whales were encountered (110 sightings).

Coakes, A., S. Gowans, P. Simard, J. Giard, C. Vashro, and R. Sears. 2005. Photographic identification of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) off the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Marine Mammal Science. 21(2):323-326.
Photographic identification of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) off the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada PDF (38.3 KB)