TitleStriking the right balance in right whale conservation
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsSchick, RS, Halpin, PN, Read, AJ, Slay, CS, Kraus, SD, Mate, BR, Baumgartner, MF, Roberts, JJ, Good, CP, Best, BD, Loarie, SR, Clark, JS
JournalCan. J. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Volume66
Pagination1399-1403
Keywordsright whales
AbstractDespite many years of study and protection, the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) remains on the brink of extinction. There is a crucial gap in our understanding of their habitat use in the migratory corridor along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Here, we characterize habitat suitability in migrating right whales in relation to depth, distance to shore, and the recently enacted ship speed regulations near major ports. We find that the range of suitable habitat exceeds previous estimates and that, as compared with the enacted 20 nautical mile buffer, the originally proposed 30 nautical mile buffer would protect more habitat for this critically endangered species.
DOI10.1139/F09-115