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Forecasting Locations of Right Whales
By Andrew Pershing, Ph.D.
GMRI Research Scientist, Ecosystem Modeling
Joint Appointment University of Maine School of Marine Sciences
GMRI Research Scientist, Ecosystem Modeling
Joint Appointment University of Maine School of Marine Sciences
A major accomplishment this past year has been putting together a forecasting system to predict the location of endangered right whales in the Gulf of Maine throughout the year. Preliminary analysis in Cape Cod Bay has indicated that our models are successful at indicating where right whales can be found based on computer models that trace their primary food source, zooplankton, using satellite data on temperature and chlorophyll as well as depth. Ultimately, this system has the potential to be used to plan modifications to human activity during peak periods of whale activities in coastal waters and alert ships when right whales are nearby, averting the danger of whales being struck or entangled in fishing rope. 