Assessing the risk of lethal ship strikes to humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and fin (Balaenoptera physalus) whales off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada / Linda M. Nichol ... [et al.].: Fs70-5/2017-007E-PDF

“Vessel strikes are a source of mortality and injury for baleen whales that can have population-level impacts. Spatial analysis of whale distributions and marine traffic provide a valuable approach for identifying zones of high relative collision risk. We conducted 34 systematic aerial surveys (2012-2015) in fall and winter to estimate humpback and fin whale densities off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. This region includes approaches to major shipping lanes in Juan de Fuca Strait, a gateway to the ports of southern British Columbia and Puget Sound, Washington. Our study is the first to assess ship strike risk to large whales off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The estimates of strike probability and risk of lethal strike we present here are minimum estimates, as our models did not account for species specific vulnerabilities and future projections did not account for whale population growth or anticipated increases in ship size"--Abstract, p. v.

Permanent link to this Catalogue record:
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Publication information
Department/Agency Canada. Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat.
Title Assessing the risk of lethal ship strikes to humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and fin (Balaenoptera physalus) whales off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada / Linda M. Nichol ... [et al.].
Series title Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), research document, 1919-5044 ; 2017/007, Pacific Region
Publication type Series - View Master Record
Language [English]
Format Electronic
Electronic document
Note(s) Cover title.
“July 2017.”
Includes bibliographical references (p. 22).
Includes abstract in French.
Publishing information Ottawa : Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, 2017.
Author / Contributor Nichol, Linda M. (Linda Marie), 1962-
Description vii, 33 p. : charts, col. maps
Catalogue number
  • Fs70-5/2017-007E-PDF
Subject terms Whales
Ships
Risk management
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