NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS NE 117
Review of Distribution
of the Long-finned Pilot Whale
(Globicephala melas) in the North Atlantic and
Mediterranean
by Alan G. Abend1 and
Tim D. Smith2
1Univ. of
Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (Present address: Zoo New England, Boston,
MA 02121)
2National Marine Fisheries
Service, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026
Print
publication date April 1999;
web version posted December 18, 2000
Citation: Abend AG, Smith TD. 1999. Review of Distribution
of the Long-finned Pilot Whale
(Globicephala melas) in the North Atlantic and
Mediterranean. US Dep Commer, NOAA Tech Memo NMFS NE 117; 22 p.
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Abstract
The
spatial and seasonal distribution of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala
melas) in the North Atlantic is summarized based on published and
some unpublished data. The data are presented separately for 12 countries,
and within each country by type of data: 1) evidential (i.e.,
sightings, strandings, harvests, bycatches); and 2) inferential (i.e.,
oceanographic processes, prey occurrences). The locations of sightings
are presented in distribution maps for each country. The locations of
the several sighting surveys and other field activities are summarized,
but the distribution of sighting effort is not displayed. For each country,
the general distribution pattern is summarized, seasonal differences
are shown, and possible seasonal movement patterns are suggested. The
Atlantic-wide distribution is then summarized, based on these individual
country summaries.
INTRODUCTION
The
long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas Traill 1809) is also
referred to as the blackfish, pothead, northern pilot whale, Atlantic
pilot whale, caa'ing whale, and grindehval. Most literature references
to the long-finned pilot whale use the short common name of "pilot whale" in
conjunction with the scientific name to distinguish it from the short-finned
pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhyncus Gray 1846). The long-finned
pilot whale is a robust whale with a large bulbous head and a flattened
forehead. Its coloration is black with an anchor-shaped patch of
grayish white on the throat extending into a gray stripe along the underside
surrounding the navel and genital areas. Pectoral flippers, long and
sharply pointed, reach one-fifth the length of the body (Caldwell and
Caldwell 1983). Males can be up to 6 m long and weigh 2,400 kg; females
are roughly 25% smaller (Sergeant 1962; Martin et al. 1987; Kasuya et
al. 1988).
The distribution of pilot whales in the North Atlantic (Figure
1) extends from Cape Hatteras to Greenland in the west,
to Iceland and possibly the Barents Sea in the north, and to northwestern
Africa and the Mediterranean in the east (Sergeant 1962; Leatherwood et
al. 1976; Evans 1980; Nores and Pirez 1988). For hundreds of
years, strandings of pilot whales have occurred regularly along the
coasts of the North Atlantic (Brown 1975; Geraci and St. Aubin 1977;
Martin et al. 1987; McFee 1990).
The principal sources of data on distribution patterns fall into two
categories: 1) evidential (i.e., dedicated and incidental sightings,
strandings, directed harvests, bycatches in commercial fisheries); and
2) inferential (i.e., oceanographic processes, prey occurrences).
Dedicated sighting surveys have been conducted by several nations/ territories,
including the United States, Canada, Iceland, Faeroe Islands, Denmark,
Norway, France, Spain, Great Britain, and Italy. Prior to 1987, sighting
surveys for cetaceans in the Northeast Atlantic were limited in both
area and duration (Buckland et al. 1993). During 1987 and 1989,
large-scale cetacean sighting surveys were conducted in the Northeast
Atlantic. In the Northwest Atlantic, a line transect survey was conducted
in 1980 (Hay 1982), aerial surveys in 1978-82, and shipboard surveys
in 1980-88 (Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program 1982; Payne and Heinemann
1993). Data have regularly been collected on natural strandings in many
countries. Catch data have been collected from drive fisheries in the
Faeroe Islands and United States, with records from the former dating
back several centuries. Biological samples have been collected from Canadian
and Faeroese fisheries, and from natural strandings and bycatches in
commercial fisheries in the United States.
Most of these data have been analyzed to determine local or regional
distribution patterns. Lacking, however, is an integration of the large-scale
distribution patterns of pilot whales. In this paper, we describe the
data available from each of 12 countries in the North Atlantic, and through
the use of summary maps attempt to depict overall distribution and movement
patterns.
UNITED
STATES
Recorded data on pilot whales began a few days after the Pilgrims arrived
from England, as pilot whales stranded near the Pilgrims' first landing
site. Recordings from the drive fishery of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, lasted
until the 1950s. Since then, dedicated shipboard and aerial surveys have
been conducted to map the distribution of marine mammals in the eastern
U.S. coastal and off-shore waters. Additional research has involved life
history data collection from strandings and from incidental takes during
commercial fishing operations. These data sets provide the basis for
assessing pilot whale distribution patterns along the Mid- and North
Atlantic regions of the United States.
Dedicated Sighting
Surveys
Beginning in 1978, the United States initiated dedicated cetacean surveys
of the northwestern shelf of the North Atlantic Ocean. This effort, the
Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program (CeTAP), which ran from November
1978 to January 1982, was sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior's
Bureau of Land Management for making decisions on oil and gas exploration
and development. The goal of the surveys was to characterize marine mammals
and turtles in the Mid- and North Atlantic regions of the U.S. outer
continental shelf. The surveys were initially conducted by air and sea,
but shipboard surveys were suspended in 1980, with the aerial surveys
continuing for the remainder of the program.
A second program of surveys was conducted from January 1980 to December
1988 through a contract with the Manomet Bird Observatory (MBO) of Manomet,
Massachusetts, under the auspices of the National Marine Fisheries Service's
(NMFS's) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
Shipboard surveys were performed aboard NMFS fishery research vessels
as the ships traveled along designated cruise tracks. The objective of
the surveys was to provide long-term monitoring of the distribution and
abundance of cetacean and seabird populations, which could be directly
compared to the distribution and abundance of fish stocks in the same
waters (Payne et al. 1984; Smith et al. 1988).
The two survey programs covered all of the continental shelf and shelf-edge
waters between Nova Scotia, Canada, and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
The CeTAP surveys extended from the coastline seaward to include outer
continental shelf waters. The seaward projection included waters 9.3
km (5 nautical miles) beyond the 1,830-m depth contour, which included
the associated deepwater canyons (Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program
1982; Figure 2).
The MBO surveys were in waters less than 910 m, with most surveys in
waters less than 183 m (Payne and Heinemann 1993). This coverage by the
two survey programs encompassed a large portion of the long-finned pilot
whale's range in the western North Atlantic and a part of the northern
distribution of the short-finned pilot whale.
The short-finned pilot whale ranges from Cape Hatteras south to the
Caribbean (Caldwell and Caldwell 1983; Leatherwood et al. 1976).
The two species appear to overlap seasonally between approximately 35°N
latitude (Cape Hatteras) and 38°-39°N latitude (Payne et al. 1991).
Identification to the species level is difficult at sea. Accordingly,
the dedicated survey sightings refer only to the genus level (Globicephala).
A total of 619 sightings of pilot whales were recorded in the two survey
series. Depths associated with sightings ranged from 15 to 5,121 m. This
range reflects both survey effort and the movements of the whales between
inshore and offshore waters. Pilot whales were often sighted with other
cetacean species, especially bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).
Cow-and-calf pairs and juveniles were primarily seen along the shelf
edge from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Maine, mainly in the spring and
summer, with fewer observed in the autumn and winter (Cetacean and Turtle
Assessment Program 1982). The sightings concur with Sergeant's (1962)
suggestion that pilot whale calves are born from May to November, peaking
in August.
There have been only limited surveys in waters greater than 2,000 m
in depth. This limitation has created a gap in our understanding of the
utilization of these waters by cetaceans. During the summers of 1990
and 1991, the NEFSC conducted marine mammal surveys in the shelf edge
and offshelf waters to the Gulf Stream between Cape Hatteras and Georges
Bank (Waring et al. 1992). The surveys ran from August 5 to August
18, 1990, and from June 8 to July 10, 1991. Nearly two-thirds of the
1990 survey effort was along the shelf edge off Georges Bank and within
the Gulf Strewn. The remaining one-third concentrated around a warm-core
ring near Georges Bank and in a 9.3-km buffer zone of the Gulf Stream
northern wall. The greater portion of the 1991 survey effort primarily
concentrated in shelfedge waters between the 200- and 2000-m contours,
with a smaller portion conducted in off-shelf waters (Waring et al. 1992).
In 1990, a total of 68 pilot whales were sighted. The sightings occurred
primarily along the northern wall of the Gulf Stream, along the shelf
break, and near Oceanographer Canyon, with a couple of sightings recorded
in the midportion of the Gulf Stream near Cape Hatteras. During the 1991
survey, a total of 724 pilot whales were sighted. Most of the 1991 sightings
occurred along the shelf break, in Oceanographer, Hydrographer, and Corsair
Canyons, along the southern edge of Georges Bank, and along the northern
wall of the Gulf Stream (Waring et al. 1992). In both years, the
whales were principally found in groups of 2-5 individuals.
The combined CeTAP, MBO, and NEFSC sighting data indicate that pilot
whales occur primarily along the continental shelf edge between the 100-
and 2000-m contours from Cape Hatteras northerly to Georges Bank. A few
sightings also occurred inshore of the 100-m contour, as well as seaward
of the 2,000-m contour. These latter sightings are consistent with observations
from deep ocean weather stations indicating that pilot whale distribution
includes some or all of the deep ocean (Brown 1961).
During late winter to early spring, pilot whale concentrations along
the shelf edge at approximately 35°N join additional pilot whales
(presumed from deeper off-shore waters) and move northward along the
shelf edge between the 100- and 1000-m contours onto the continental
shelf (Payne et al. 1991; Figure
3). Between early March and May, pilot whales substantially
increase in number along the shelf edge between 38°N and 42°N
latitude (Figure 4).
During summer, pilot whales are broadly distributed over the shelf (Cetacean
and Turtle Assessment Program 1982; Payne et al. 1984, 1991; Figure
5). The greater percentage of sighted pilot whales occur along
the shelf edges of the northeastern portion of Georges Bank and onto
the Scotian Shelf. During May through October, pilot whales predominantly
occur on central Georges Bank, primarily along its northern edge (Hain et
al. 1981; Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program 1982; Payne et
al. 1984, 1991). This summer movement continues northward into the
Gulf of Maine and into Canadian waters (Sergeant and Fisher 1957; Sergeant
1962; Mercer 1975).
During autumn, the largest concentrations of pilot whales occur along
the southwestern edge of Georges Bank (Figure
6). By late autumn to early winter, many pilot whales have
already moved offshore and southward (Cetacean and Turtle Assessment
Program 1982; Payne et al. 199 1). The survey sightings are thus
consistent with the Katona et al. (1978) and Sergeant (1962) hypothesis
that some pilot whales move southward into deep offshore waters during
the winter. Although, a component of the population appears to be seasonably
migratory, the sighting data indicate that pilot whales are common year-round
residents of particular continental shelf areas, notably the southern
margin of Georges Bank (Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program 1982).
Strandings
Pilot whale strandings on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, have been known to
occur since 1620, and were common in Cape Cod Bay during the l7th century
(Weeden 1894; Tower 1907; Hart 1924; Thompson 1928). Since 1819, when
newspapers began recording strandings, there have been 92 stranding events
on Cape Cod. In addition to natural strandings, drive fisheries caused
70 strandings between 1828 and 1950.
Strandings follow a seasonal cyclical pattern. Strandings between 1832
and 1899 occurred primarily during September through November, while
strandings between 1900 and 1959 occurred during July and August. From
1960 to present strandings have returned to later in the year, occurring
during September through December (McFee 1990).
The stranding pattern may be due to cyclical ocean temperatures that
may regulate the movement of prey species and, therefore, the movement
of pilot whales. During summer and autumn 1987, cooler ocean temperature
and lower salinity may have influenced the migration of Atlantic mackerel
(Scomber scombrus) and longfin inshore squid (Loligo pealeii)
-- both prey of long-finned pilot whales during the following winter.
Mackerel routinely migrate to Cape Hatteras during February and March
(Anderson and Paciorkowski 1980). However, during winter 1988, commercial
fisheries data suggest that mackerel did not migrate, remaining instead
near Hudson Canyon (Fairfield et al. 1989).
Residents of Cape Cod have reported fish congregating within Cape Cod
Bay prior to pilot whale strandings. Although the identity of these fish
was unknown, it is possible that they were Atlantic mackerel and/or longfin
in shore squid. When squid do migrate inshore, they may have a short
occupancy period within Cape Cod Bay (Arnold et al. 1974; Macy
1982). The pilot whales entering Cape Cod Bay could have been in pursuit
of mackerel and/ or squid. Unfortunately, stranded pilot whales reveal
very little about their recent foraging as their stomachs are almost
always empty.
Cape Cod Bay has varying water depths that could trap the whales when
the tide goes out. In fact, almost 70% of the strandings have occurred
in the varying depths of the inner bay (McFee 1990).
Incidental Takes
in Commercial Fisheries
Beginning in 1977, fisheries compliance inspectors (i.e., observers)
were required aboard all foreign fishing vessels operating within the
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (i.e., 200-mile zone), in compliance
with the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The observer
coverage resulted in increased reporting of marine mammal sightings and
incidental takes (i.e., bycatch) by the fishing fleets.
Between 1984 and 1988, 93% of all pilot whale incidental kills occurred
in the foreign fishery for Atlantic mackerel within the Mid-Atlantic
Bight. This fishery followed mackerel concentrations which occur along
the shelf edge during winter and spring (Anderson and Paciorkowski 1980).
Pilot whales concentrate along the shelf edge from December through May,
and are mainly taken in the spring along the shelf edge. Sixty-two percent
of the pilot whale bycatch during 1977-88 occurred between March and
July, with the remainder between December and February. The bycatch occurred
primarily near the 100-m contour (Waring et al. 1990; Fairfield et
al. 1989).
Since 1987, a drift gillnet fishery for swordfish has developed in which
incidental catches of both short-finned and long-finned pilot whales
are taken (unpubl. data1).
The fishery has operated from Cape Hatteras in winter to Georges Bank
in summer, and is usually associated with the continental shelfbreak,
especially in association with Gulf Strewn features. Bycatches of pilot
whales in the Cape Hatteras region in winter are most likely all short-finned
pilot whales, and in the Georges Bank region in summer are most likely
all long-finned pilot whales, based on those animals identified to species.
Oceanography
Kenney and Winn (1986) indicate that after the western inshore Gulf
of Maine, the continental shelf edge is the second-most-used cetacean
habitat off the northeastern United States. In turn, pilot whales are
the second-most-observed cetacean -- behind the bottlenose dolphin --
in that habitat (Hain et al. 1985). Kenney and Winn (1987) suggest
that this shelf-edge habitat use is due to complex oceanographic processes
elevating productivity and providing an important habitat for the squid
and fish prey of cetaceans (Coelho 1985; Maurer and Bowman 1985; Rowell et
al. 1985).
Pilot whales may also use submarine canyons, in addition to the shelf
edge, as feeding areas. Church et al. (1984) suggest that circulation
patterns induced by undersea canyon topography promote oceanographic
mixing. Squid may be more numerous around canyons and canyon heads due
to high availability of food caused by nutrient upwelling. According
to Kenney and Winn (1987), Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis),
which feed on squid (Perrin et al. 1973), showed higher densities
within the submarine canyon areas.
In addition, pilot whale sightings were associated with warm-core rings
(Waring et al. 1992).
U.S. Summary
Pilot whales are distributed along the eastern United States, migrating
seasonally along the edge of the continental shelf. Some animals appear
to be year-round residents on the southern edge of Georges Bank, suggesting
continuous abundance and availability of prey items in that region. Squid
appear to be an important prey item but pilot whales are known to eat
mackerel, and to inhabit areas with no squid. The nutrient-rich continental
shelf edge and slope support an extensive food web important to pilot
whales and other toothed cetaceans. Various oceanographic processes on
the shelf edge and slope, including local upwelling and direct interaction
with the Gulf Stream through warm-core rings, generate high levels of
productivity.
CANADA
The majority of information on pilot whale biology in Canada has been
derived from commercial whaling operations. Sergeant (1962) based his
research on samples from harvested whales, and the apparently high rate
of exploitation has spurred subsequent studies of population densities.
Additional data come from sightings aboard fishing and coast guard vessels,
whale watching operations, fishery research operations, and from some
land-based operations. Strandings have also contributed to the life history
of pilot whales in this region. Since strandings are few, they are considered
together with the fishery.
Ocean and Land-Based
Sightings
Historically, pilot whales have been common seasonal migrants to Canadian
waters (Sergeant and Fisher 1957; Sergeant 1962; Mercer 1967, 1975).
They range from the offshore waters of Labrador, to the coastal and inshore
waters of Newfoundland, to the waters around Nova Scotia and Prince Edward
Island. Lynch (1987) noted that most sightings of pilot whales occurred
during autumn, and were concentrated along the eastern coast of Newfoundland
and off the Avalon Peninsula (Figure
7). Pilot whales have been sighted in the Labrador Sea from
late May to late July, as well as in more southerly locations in the
North Atlantic Drift (Sergeant 1968). Sightings have been irregular on
the southwestern and western coasts of Newfoundland (Sergeant and Fisher
1957).
Sergeant (1962) suggested that the main wintering area of the Newfoundland
stock was in the waters of the North Atlantic Current, east of the Grand
Bank. Winter sightings of pilot whales by Sergeant and Fisher (1957)
and by Schevill (pers. comm. to Mercer 1967) are consistent with this
suggestion.
Pilot whale sightings off Canada have fluctuated, with a recent peak
in 1981; however, sightings in the late 1980s and early 1990s have been
infrequent (Lynch 1987; Jon Lien, pers. comm.2).
During 1979-82, Lynch (1987) reported few sightings of pilot whales off
Labrador or the Grand Bank. Sightings and strandings (less than five
animals per stranding) of pilot whales have most recently occurred off
Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in the early 1990s (Jon Lien, pers.
comm.3).
Oceanography and
Prey Distribution
Seasonal migrations of pilot whales in Canadian waters may relate to
distribution of their prey. The concentration of pilot whales along the
eastern coast of the Canadian Atlantic Maritimes coincides with large
aggregations of northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) --
their prime prey in these waters (Sergeant 1962). The arrival of northern
shortfin squid in Canadian waters depends on hydrographical conditions,
feeding, and reproductive cycles (Sergeant and Fisher 1957; Roper et
al. 1984). Movement of these squid onto the Scotian Shelf takes place
during the spring and summer when water temperatures are increasing.
In addition, there is evidence that bottom water temperature influences
squid distribution (Scott 1978). The preferred temperature range of the
shortfin squid is 5°-15°C (Frost and Thompson 1933).
Adult northern shortfin squid occur over the continental shelf from
the southeastern United States to Newfoundland and Labrador during summer
and autumn. Black et al. (1987) proposed that in late autumn adults
move southward to the grounds off Cape Hatteras to spawn.
The inshore movement of pilot whales into bays normally begins in mid-July,
and closely follows the movement of northern shortfin squid. The whales
arrive shortly after the squid, and leave slightly before the last squid
departs in the autumn; no whale sightings have been recorded in Winter
(Mercer 1975; Lynch 1987). Lynch (1987) reports pilot whales were sighted
off the northeastern and/or northwestern coasts of Newfoundland before
the shortfin squid arrived. During the late summer and autumn, vast numbers
of shortfin squid inhabit the coastal waters and inshore bays (Squire
1957; Black et al. 1987), but most recently, the squid have been
absent from Newfoundland waters. The relationship between inshore movement
of pilot whales and shortfin squid appears to occur only in the Newfoundland
area (Mercer 1975). Shortfin squid have shown almost or complete absence
from inshore waters at times, with no detectable regularity (Templeman
and Fleming 1953). The failure of squid to enter the bays has resulted
in low or no catches of pilot whales (Sergeant and Fisher 1957).
In offshore waters, pilot whales also follow the movements of northern
shortfin squid. During the spring and early summer, squid concentrate
at the edge of the continental shelf in waters warmer than 5°C. This
shelf-edge concentration of squid occurs when overlying cold arctic water
impedes the vertical dispersal and horizontal movement of the squid to
shallow areas on the shelf (Mercer 1975; Black et al. 1987). Within
the same time period, pilot whales are widespread off Nova Scotia, Labrador
Sea, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and along the edge of the Grand Bank. Throughout
the summer, pilot whales feed on shortfin squid that concentrate on the
southwestern edge of the Grand Bank (Brown 1961; Sergeant and Fisher
1957; Black et al. 1987). Pilot whales are reported to pass through
the bank during the autumn, moving to offshore waters that are presumably
their wintering grounds (Sergeant and Fisher 1957; Sergeant 1962).
Although northern shortfin squid are the primary prey of pilot whales
in Newfoundland, fish are also occasionally taken as prey (Mercer 1975).
From 1951 to 1956, Sergeant's (1962) examination of pilot whale stomach
contents revealed only shortfin squid. In late 1957, the rapid disappearance
of shortfin squid in inshore waters was followed by the disappearance
of most pilot whales. The remaining whales, however, preyed on Atlantic
cod (Gadus morhua). In 1959, when the squid had begun to return,
many whales were still feeding on cod.
Pilot Whale
Drive Fishery and Strandings
For several centuries prior to 1900, small harvests of pilot whales
were taken in the bays of Newfoundland by whalers and fishermen who drove
herds ashore or harvested pilot whales that had stranded (Templeman 1966).
Modern commercial whaling began in 1947 and lasted until December 1972
when Canada implemented a ban on commercial whaling. Trinity Bay was
the major whale fishery station in Canada. Whales were also taken in
Bonavista Bay and in Notre Dame Bay (Sergeant 1962). During the 26 yr
of the fishery, approximately 54,000 pilot whales were taken, primarily
by driving whales into the shallow bays and killing them by lancing.
In 1956, pilot whale kills peaked at 9,799. Subsequently, the numbers
killed declined, with only a few hundred taken annually during the late
1960s to early 1970s (Mitchell 1974; Mercer 1975).
Sergeant (1962) concluded that the commercial fishery had no effect
on the population, and proposed that the short-term decline of pilot
whale landings subsequent to record catches in 1956 was due to hydrographic
conditions. Sergeant's conclusion was based on density-dependent factors
between shortfin squid and pilot whales. However, Mercer (1975) concluded
that the 4-yr period upon which Sergeant based his conclusion was not
long enough to influence the generation time of pilot whales which is
6 yr. On the other hand, Mercer (1975) and Mitchell (1974), using the
cumulative catch of pilot whales between 1951 to 1961, concluded that
the initial pre-exploited population was between 50,000 and 60,000 animals,
and that overexploitation was the main cause of the decline of the pilot
whale population.
Recent estimates of pilot whale abundance in the Newfoundland/Labrador
and Grand Bank region are highly variable, An aerial survey in 1980 of
the coastal and off-shore (approximately 100 nautical miles) waters of
eastern Newfoundland and southeastern Labrador estimated pilot whale
abundance to be between 6,731 and 19,603 animals (Hay 1982). However,
an analysis of land and sea-based sighting records from 1976 to 1983
concluded that the abundance of pilot whales off Newfoundland was unknown
(Lynch 1987).
Strandings have occurred primarily at Sable Island, Nova Scotia (Sergeant et
al. 1970; Geraci and St. Aubin 1977). Between 1957 and 1976, approximately
12 strandings occurred on Sable Island ranging from 1 to 130 animals.
These whales were probably foraging for prey, and were trapped as the
tides receded.
Canadian Summary
Pilot whales have historically been seasonally abundant in Canadian
waters, with highest abundances in summer and autumn. Local movements
of pilot whales have reflected movements of prey species such as northern
shortfin squid. Winter distribution patterns are not well known, but
may include areas east of the Grand Bank. The abundance of pilot whales
declined in Canadian waters in recent decades due to overfishing, and
possibly due to changes in the distribution of preferred prey species.
Recent distribution patterns are substantially different than historical
ones.
GREENLAND
Information on pilot whales in Greenland waters is primarily from catch
statistics and, more recently, from dedicated observations compiled by
the Greenland Fisheries Research Institute (GFRI) in Nuuk, Greenland,
and Copenhagen, Denmark. Pilot whaling has always been minimal by the
Greenlanders, but the catch data provide historical yearly and seasonal
information.
Dedicated Sighting Surveys and Catch
Statistics
Sightings of pilot whales in Greenland occur annually with the majority
of sightings off the western coast south of Disko Island (Figure
8). The sightings have varied from individuals to groups of
thousands, but the average group size ranges between 8 and 50 individuals.
Only a few observations have been made on the eastern coast of Greenland.
This discrepancy could be due to two factors: 1) East Greenland has a
substantially smaller human population than West Greenland, and therefore
less potential for sighting of pilot whales; and 2) pack ice along East
Greenland lasts longer, limiting the access of pilot whales into inshore
waters.
The movement of pilot whales appears to be influenced by oceanographic
factors. In summer, pilot whales move through Greenland waters using
deepwater corridors of 200 m or more (Heide-Jørgensen and Bunch
1991). This northwestern movement coincides with the distribution of
pilot whales in northern waters of the eastern North Atlantic around
62°N in August, September, and October, and around 59°N from
May through November (Brown 1961).
Because dedicated sighting surveys for cetaceans were not conducted
off Greenland prior to the late 1970s, data from catch statistics provide
the only historical information on abundance and distribution. The GFRI
has compiled whale catch records since 1828 (Table
1). The majority of pilot whale catches have been taken between Nuuk
and Disko Island. A few whales have been caught south of Nuuk but only
about 1% have been taken in East Greenland. Most catches occur during
June-September (Heide-Jørgensen and Bunch 1991).
Dedicated sighting cruises began in 1979, and since 1987 have been supplemented
with aerial surveys (Larsen et al. 1989; Larsen and Nielsen 1990).
The distribution of pilot whales from these surveys is consistent with
that derived from historical catch data. Over 97% of the sightings have
been recorded south of Disko Island.
Oceanographic- and Biological-Related
Distribution
There are indications that the abundance of pilot whales off West Greenland
is linked to prey abundance and fluctuating ocean temperatures. During
periods of low water temperatures in the Davis Strait, no pilot whales
were caught (Heide-Jørgensen and Bunch 1991). Sergeant and Fisher
(1957) reported that both northern shortfin squid and pilot whales move
into the Davis Strait from Canada during warm temperature periods. Historically,
shortfin squid have not inhabited West Greenland waters, but have occurred
off southern Greenland (Roper et al. 1984).
The same factors that influence the occurrence of pilot whales also
influence the occurrence of other marine species (Heide-Jørgensen
and Bunch 1991). A warm period in the North Atlantic has led to a northward
shift in the geographical distribution of many boreal marine animals.
These rising ocean temperatures in West Greenland have caused the Atlantic
cod population to increase, creating a topodeme that appears to have
migration circuits entirely within the local fjords (Baker 1978). Inversely,
when the temperatures have decreased, the cod population has declined,
as have pilot whale catches and sightings.
Greenland Summary
Historically, pilot whales have never been very abundant in Greenland.
A small percentage of whales in Canada may venture northward into Greenland
waters. That Greenlanders have never targeted pilot whales as heavily
as other cetaceans provides some evidence that the abundance of pilot
whales in Greenland has never been large.
As in Canada, the presence or absence of preferred prey may alter the
sightings of pilot whales. Water temperature may also influence the occurrence
of prey and pilot whales in Greenland waters.
ICELAND
Iceland has been an active whaling nation for many years, and initial
sighting information on pilot whales has come from observers aboard whaling
vessels. More re cently, researchers at the Marine Research Institute
in Reykjavik have collected sighting data from dedicated sighting surveys
(Figure 9).
Throughout the 1980s, aerial and shipboard sighting surveys covered the
mid-North Atlantic area around Iceland and East Greenland.
Sighting Surveys
Sigurjónsson and Gunnlaugsson (1990) provide a detailed account
of whale sightings made during 1979-88 from whaling vessels, but these
data are biased as sightings of smaller cetaceans were reported with
less accuracy than sightings of baleen whales. The sighting data are
summarized into two time periods: before and after July 15. This split
reflects seasonal whaling times based on the movement of the large baleen
whales migrating into Icelandic waters. The frequency of pilot whale
sightings increases after July 15 when concentrations appear west-northwest
of Iceland. Some whales have been sighted in shallow waters (less than
400 m), but most sightings occur in water between 400 and 1000 m. As
in the shelf waters off the United States, there appears to be a relationship
between the high concentration of pilot whales found on the Icelandic
edge, and hydrographic conditions such as ocean temperature and upwelling
(Foerster and Thompson 1985). The North Atlantic Current flows south
of Iceland along the shelf edge towards Norway, and likely influences
pilot whale movements.
In June and July 1981, a marking cruise for baleen whales took place
in the Denmark Strait. Pilot whale sightings occurred off the southwestern
and western coasts of Iceland in water depths between 1,000 and 2,000
m. Approximately 500-800 pilot whales were encountered during the
16 sightings of this survey (Sigurjónsson 1983).
Between 1981 and 1989, Iceland participated in joint international surveys
of the North Atlantic, including the North Atlantic Sighting Survey (NASS)
(Table 2). The NASS began in 1987 when several
nations/territories organized joint shipboard surveys that were conducted
from June through August that year, and in summer 1989. The area surveyed
was bound by Spitsbergen and the Barents Sea in the north, the Spanish
coast to the south, the West Greenland coast to the west, and the Norwegian
coast to the east. In addition, an aerial sighting survey occurred in
1987 covering the coastal waters of Norway, West Greenland, and Iceland
in conjunction with NASS-87 (Hiby et al. 1989).
Strandings
Strandings of pilot whales are rare in Iceland. Only two mass strandings
are known; one in western Iceland at Rifshofn, and the other in southwestern
Iceland at Thorlakshofn. The Rifshofn stranding occurred in August
1982, when a pilot whale school of approximately 280 individuals congregated
near the harbor entrance. The Thorlakshofn stranding occurred in October
1986, when 143 whales stranded along a gradually sloping beach. Only
a few stomachs were examined, but all were empty (Sigurjónsson et
al. 1993).
Icelandic Summary
Pilot whales do not occur on the northern side of Iceland, but regularly
appear off the southern coast. Pilot whales prefer the edge of the shelf,
with only occasional movements into shallower waters. Pilot whales have
a broad distribution pattern in the northern Central Atlantic, and appear
to be most abundant in mid-summer.
NORWAY
In Norway, distribution data on pilot whales have come from historical
whaling records, incidental sightings, and sighting surveys. These data
have been compiled by the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen since
1967. Norway was also a participant in the NASS sighting cruises that
covered the northern extreme of pilot whale distribution (Figure
10).
Sighting Surveys and Incidental Observations
Incidental observations of whales within Norwegian waters took place
from 1971 to 1975 aboard whaling vessels. Actual sighting effort depended
upon the workload of the vessel and the observer. Observations in the
Barents Sea occurred during May-June 1973, July-August 1974, and May-August
1975. The only four sightings of pilot whales made during these cruises
occurred in the Barents Sea in May 1975 (Christensen 1977). Dedicated
sighting surveys were conducted off Norway from 1987 to 1990 in conjunction
with the NASS (Table 3).
During summer 1991, several groups of pilot whales were sighted off
Lofoten. Animals had been seen in that region for 3-4 yr in a row (Øien
1991b). Strandings of pilot whales are relatively rare, and those reported
may have drifted onto Norwegian shores after dying at sea in more southern
waters (Christensen 1990).
Whaling Statistics
Whaling for small cetaceans began in the 1920s and spread throughout
Norway by the 1930s. Between 1938 and 1974, the number of participating
vessels was regulated, and a compulsory catch report system was in place
(Christensen 1975; Øien 1991b). In 1950, a closed season
was implemented during the first 3 wk of July, with additional time limits
administered in subsequent years. Though the catch data reflect these
restrictions, the commercial statistics depict in broad terms the patterns
of pilot whale distribution. Catch records indicate that pilot whales
concentrate in two locations: off Lofoten in northern Norway, and off
Møre in southern Norway, primarily in July and August (Øien
1991b).
Norwegian Summary
Pilot whales occur in Norwegian waters, but not in high abundances.
Two areas of concentration are indicated by catch statistics: along the
western coastline at Lofoten and at More, with most catches reported
in July and August. Dedicated sighting surveys have revealed relatively
few sightings of pilot whales.
FAEROE ISLANDS
Long-finned pilot whales are commonly sighted around the Faeroe Islands,
and have become an integral part of the culture of its inhabitants. A
drive fishery in the Faeroes has existed for centuries, with pilot whales
being herded into the many bays of the archipelago. An international
research effort conducted from 1986 to 1988 to sample whales killed in
the drives has provided a substantial amount of information on the life
history of this species (Bloch, Desportes, et al. 1989; Desportes
1993).
Faeroese involvement in the NASS sighting efforts has provided additional
information on pilot whale distribution. Since 1986, whale observers
have been placed on commercial fishing vessels to record cetacean sightings.
These sightings are being compiled by the Office of the Director of Fisheries
and by the Natural History Museum in Torshavn.
Sighting Surveys
Since 1986, observers aboard Faeroese research and inspection vessels
have recorded pilot whale sightings (Figure
11) in the Faeroe Islands - Iceland area (Bloch and Hoydal
1988, 1990). During 1987 and 1989, the Faeroese participated in the NASS
sighting series with two dedicated sighting cruises. The 1987 survey
was in June and July, and the 1989 survey was in July and August. The
Faeroese vessel surveyed an area between southeastern Iceland and western
Ireland, bounded by 6°W and 18°W longitude, and 64°N and
52°N latitude. However, no survey activity was conducted inside the
183-m depth contour in the area of the British Isles, Ireland, and Iceland.
There were only 19 sightings recorded during the 1987 survey. Sightings
concentrated in three areas: 79% of the sightings were within the Faeroe
Islands archipelago, 5% were just northeast of the islands, and 16% were
just south of the islands. The 1989 survey had only 11 pilot whale sightings.
These sightings occurred west to southwest of the islands (45%) and northwest
between the islands and Iceland (55%) (Buckland et al. 1993; Joyce et
al. 1991). The seasonal distribution of pilot whale sightings during
these surveys was consistent with the temporal pattern observed during
the past 280 yr in the Faeroese drive fishery (Joensen and Zachariassen
1982).
Drive Fishery and Oceanographic- and
Biological-Related Distribution
The Faeroese drive fishery is the longest continuously documented harvest
of any wild animal, with accounts dating back to 1584 (Hoydal 1987).
Although these records contain minor biases, the historical record provides
an account of the presence of pilot whales in and around the Faeroe Islands
for the past four centuries. The "grinds" or pilot whale drives occur
throughout the year, and are most intensive during July through September
when pilot whale abundance is highest (Hoydal 1987).
A positive correlation exists between the occurrence of pilot whales
and surface water temperatures (Joensen and Zachariassen 1982; Bloch,
Hoydal, et al. 1989). As temperatures increase, the available
food for whales increases, particularly the European flying squid (Todarodes
saggitatus) which is the preferred prey of pilot whales in the Faeroese
region (Desportes and Mouritsen 1993). This relation is so strong that
pilot whales move to deepwater feeding grounds north of the islands in
pursuit of other squid species if flying squid is not available (Desportes
and Mouritsen 1993). Hoydal (1987) found a high correlation between the
abundance of flying squid and the catches of pilot whales (r =
0.75), implying that pilot whales follow their prey. This conclusion
is similar to that presented by Sergeant (1962), Mercer (1975), and Heide-Jørgensen
and Bunch (1991).
In a comparison of Faeroe Islands and Greenland catch statistics, the
peak numbers of pilot whales landed in Greenland occurred in the 1930s,
1960, and between 1974 and 1980 when sea temperatures had increased.
The first and last of those peaks of Greenland landings preceded periods
of good catches in the Faeroe Islands, whereas the middle of those peaks
in Greenland was at the end of a good catch period in the Faeroe Islands
(Hoydal 1987).
Faeroese Summary
Pilot whales occur regularly in the Faeroese archipelago. Movement patterns
appear to be related to prey distribution and ocean temperature. If their
favorite squid prey is not available, pilot whales leave to feed elsewhere.
Most sightings have occurred on the western side of the islands, specifically
southwest and northwest of the islands towards Iceland.
BRITISH ISLES
Information on long-finned pilot whales in waters surrounding the United
Kingdom and Ireland has historically been derived from incidental observations
and from strandings. Spanish and Faeroese vessels surveyed these waters
during the 1987 and 1989 NASS sighting series (Figure
12). Recent sighting data have been obtained through the 1994
Small Cetacean Abundance in the North Sea Survey (SCANS), with two sightings
south of Ireland and one between the Shetlands and Norway. The 1994 SCANS
sought to estimate abundance and identify summer concentrations of small
cetaceans in the North Sea. The survey was conducted by the Research
Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment at Scotland's St. Andrews University.
Weather ships have also reported numerous sightings west of Ireland and
Scotland (Anonymous 1990; Evans 1976; G. Desportes, pers. comm4).
Land-Based Observations
Sightings of long-finned pilot whales are most common along the northern
and southern coasts of Great Britain and the western coast of Ireland,
with the highest numbers concentrated off the northern coast of Scotland
and the southwestern coast of England (Evans 1976, 1980). During April
through June, pilot whales congregate in the Irish Sea, and along the
northern and western coasts of England. In November and December, the
whales are found off southwestern England and northern Scotland. Pilot
whales are present throughout the year off northern Scotland, with peak
abundance during March through May. In southwestern England and in Ireland,
numbers are highest in April, June, and October. Eastern Great Britain
has virtually no sighting records through most of the year, but pilot
whales may occur in small numbers in the summer and autumn.
During fall and winter, pilot whales generally disperse into smaller
schools. In spring, the whales generally form into larger groups which
maintain themselves through September. Pilot whales have usually been
sighted individually or in schools of 11-20 individuals. The largest
numbers of pilot whales in sighted schools were 75 in April 1977 off
northern Wales, and 65 in November 1976 off Cornwall in southern England
(Evans 1980). Such high numbers are normally only seen in the drive fishery
in the Faeroe Islands during summer. These high numbers suggest that
the whales may form large schools at particular times of the year, such
as during long migrations or at food concentrations (Evans 1976).
Fraser (1974) suggested that pilot whales occurring in British waters
are part of a population occupying the North Atlantic Current. This population
has a movement eastward in the late months of the year, bringing the
schools to the more southerly parts of the British Isles in winter, but
not to the north until spring and summer. During November to December,
definite peaks in numbers have regularly occurred in northern Scotland
and southwestern England, at least between 1975 and 1980 (Evans 1980).
Since these peaks occur at the opposite geographical ends of the British
Isles, the possibility of two separate populations is implied. The northern
peak may be the southern extent of the Faeroe Islands population as catches
in the Faeroe Islands are concentrated in July and August, with few in
winter. Pilot whales appear to be aggregated in waters between the Shetland
and Faeroe Islands during much of the summer, but probably move south
toward the northern coast of Scotland later in the year (Evans 1980).
A relationship may exist between pilot whales reported off France by
Duguy (1977) and those observed off the Cornish coasts in November and
December, and occasionally in the Irish Sea in April.
Strandings
The majority of observations of pilot whales have occurred from strandings.
Strandings are most common on the southwestern coast of England and Wales,
and along the Atlantic coast of Ireland (Evans 1980; O'Riordan 1972,
1975; Brown 1975). The number of strandings peaked in 1935, then began
a decline along with the catches of seafood fish species. The dual declines
may have been caused by a sea temperature rise and water movements (Southward
1963). Strandings along all coasts of Britain have increased since 1941
(Sheldrick 1976). The frequency of strandings appeared to be correlated
with abundance of seafood fish species, although it may also have reflected
a high mortality due to lack of prey for the whales (Sheldrick 1976).
Strandings occurred on eastern coasts of Scotland and England prior
to 1947. Since then, there has been an increasing number of strandings
on the southern and western coasts of the Britain Isles (Evans 1980).
The highest numbers of these strandings have occurred in winter (Fraser
1974). In Ireland, strandings or captures of pilot whales have occurred
in every month except September (O'Riordan 1975).
Most occurrences of stranded pilot whales have been single animals;
only two large mass strandings have been reported, one with 100 whales
and the other with 148 whales. Both of these large mass strandings occurred
in spring 1950. Between November 1982 and January 1985, five mass strandings
occurred, involving 2340 whales per stranding. Three such strandings
occurred in northern Scotland and two in eastern England. The strandings
in eastern England indicate that pilot whales will enter shallow areas
in pursuit of fish, and may strand while following fish into shoal waters.
This behavior appears to be similar to that found in the strandings in
Canada and on Cape Cod.
Fraser (1974) suggested that pilot whales move to more southerly parts
of the British Isles in winter, but this is not consistent with more
recent information by Martin et al. (1987) indicating strandings
in the north in winter.
British Isles Summary
The waters of the British Isles and Ireland may be a crossroads for
the distribution of pilot whales in the eastern North Atlantic. On both
ends of the islands, population peaks occur at similar times of the year,
suggesting that two separate stocks may frequent these waters. Strandings
of single animals are most common, but mass strandings have occurred.
THE NETHERLANDS
Long-finned pilot whales rarely occur off the coast of The Netherlands.
Since 1594, there have only been 16 recorded events of pilot whales stranding
(Husson and Van Bree 1972, 1976; Smeenk 1986, 1989). All but two strandings
involved individual whales; there was one stranding of 61 in 1856 and
another of 31 in 1825. Although there may be no direct link between pilot
whale abundance and the occurrence of stranded whales, the lack of strandings
and sightings suggests that pilot whales do not regularly inhabit Dutch
waters.
FRANCE
There have been occasional sightings and strandings, and a few incidental
kills in commercial fishery operations, along the coasts of France (Duguy
1977; Evans 1976; Duguy and Hussenot 1982; Anonymous 1988). Pilot whales
occur primarily along the Atlantic coast, but are also seen along the
eastern sector of the Mediterranean coastline (Duguy 1990). The highest
concentration of pilot whales along the Mediterranean coast occurs in
July (Vallon et al. 1976; Duguy 1990). During winter, pilot whales
may also reside in the Bay of Gascony (Duguy and Aloncle 1975; Duguy
1977). During 1971-76, a total of 16 strandings occurred on French
coasts. One pilot whale stranded on the English Channel coast, 12 on
the Atlantic coast, and 3 on the Mediterranean coast (Duguy 1977).
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
Distribution data come mainly from dedicated sighting surveys, as strandings
are rare in Iberian waters. Spain initiated the Ballena sighting surveys
which were four sighting cruises in the offshore waters of Spain and
Portugal during July-September of 1981-82, and was a participant in the
1987 and 1989 NASS multinational survey cruises.
Dedicated Sighting Surveys
Because of coastlines located along the cold waters of the Atlantic
and the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Spain provides the varied oceanographic
conditions for many species of cetaceans (Casinos and Vericad 1976).
Pilot whales are common in Spanish waters, with both shortfinned pilot
whales and long-finned pilot whales occurring. Nores and Pérez
(1988) suggest the northern limit of the short-finned pilot whale is
at 45°N, which is within the Bay of Biscay where long-finned pilot
whales have also been sighted.
Two series of sighting cruises were conducted during the 1980s (Figure
13). The four Ballena sighting cruises in 1981-82 lasted
upwards of 2 wk per cruise. Sightings of pilot whales from these
cruises were all offshore (Aguilar et al. 1983; Sanpera et
al. 1984, 1985; Sanpera and Jover 1986). However, coastal sightings
would have been unlikely because none of the survey tracks were inshore.
In addition to the Ballena sighting cruises, additional cruises were
undertaken to survey Spanish waters in 1987 and 1989. The NASS-87 cruise,
during July 6 - August 3, 1987, covered the areas of western Ireland
south to the Iberian coasts. Only 11 pelagic pilot whales were sighted
(Lens et al. 1989). The NASS-89 cruise, during July 5 - August
9, 1989, covered an area limited by 25°W, the European continental
shelf, and between 42°N and 52°N. For survey purposes, the area
was divided into two parts consisting of an offshore area and the coastal
Bay of Biscay. Pilot whales were widely distributed throughout both areas,
but were more frequent in the offshore area. The sightings of whales
on the continental slope and in pelagic waters were consistent with sightings
made in other surveys. Mixed schools of predominately pilot whales and
shortbeaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) occurred on two
occasions (Lens 1991).
Strandings of pilot whales in Spain are a rare event; only four pilot
whale strandings occurred during 1973-81 (Grau et al. 1986), and
these were all on the Mediterranean coast. There have been no reported
strandings of pilot whales in Portugal.
Spanish and Portuguese Summary
The distributions of long-finned and short-finned pilot whales overlap
in Spanish waters, with the former species occurring at least seasonally
in the Bay of Biscay. Long-finned pilot whales occur in coastal habitats
in the Spanish Mediterranean and the offshore pelagic zones of Spanish
Atlantic waters. The pelagic distribution in the eastern Atlantic is
consistent with that found in other regions of the North Atlantic, relating
strongly to edges and slopes of the continental shelf.
ITALY
The scarcity of literature on cetacean distributions in the Mediterranean
has led to conclusions about long-finned pilot whale distribution being
founded on occasional strandings of pilot whales and obscure sightings.
Although systematic studies of cetacean populations in the Mediterranean
Sea are lacking, the most common cetaceans are the common and bottlenose
dolphins (Pilleri and Pilleri 1982). Although pilot whale abundance is
unknown, it appears that the eastward extent of the distribution of pilot
whales in the Mediterranean is in Italian waters; there have been no
regularly recorded sightings or strandings in the eastern Mediterranean,
Adriatic, or Black Seas (Marchessaux 1980 as cited in Evans 1987; Pilleri
and Pilleri 1982; Podestà and Magnaghi 1988).
Within the waters surrounding Italy (Figure
14), pilot whales are considered common, but appear to
be locally concentrated in the Ligurian Sea, with undocumented sightings
in the southern seas around Sicily (Cagnolaro et al. 1983
as cited in Cagnolaro et al. 1986; DiNatale 1983). Sightings
of pilot whales typically are in waters of 1000 in or more, although
they are occasionally very close to the coast (Podestà and
Magnaghi 1988). Virtually all of the recorded cetacean sightings
have been from crews aboard personal yachts (Pilleri and Pilleri
1982).
There are no records of mass strandings of pilot whales in Italian waters.
The stranding events that have occurred have been of individual pilot
whales. Many of the whales that have washed up have been decomposed,
indicating that they died at sea (Cagnolaro et al. 1986; Centro
Studi Cetacei 1989, 1990).
Recently, there has been a decline in the number of sightings in areas
that were previously regarded as the most populated. This decline sparked
a proposal for pilot whale research by the Committee of Marine Vertebrates
and Cephalopods of the International Commission for the Scientific Exploration
of the Mediterranean Sea (Podestà and Magnaghi 1988).
Bycatches of pilot whales have occurred in the pelagic driftnet fisheries
in the Ligurian Sea. In 1988, 10 pilot whales were incidentally caught
in the swordfish (Xiphias gladius) driftnet fishery. There are
possibly more being taken, as many go unreported, die, or sink, or are
purposely sunk by fishermen to avoid charges, as Italian law protects
cetaceans (Notarbartolo di Sciara 1990).
Italian Summary
Distribution of pilot whales is concentrated within the Ligurian Sea,
based on the limited number of sightings and driftnet bycatch. Unrecorded
sightings have occurred in and around Sicily. Individual pilot whales
have washed ashore in a decomposed state, indicating death at sea.
DISCUSSION
The
long-finned pilot whale is widely distributed in the North Atlantic,
with sightings reported in a broad band from roughly 35°N to 65°N
in the western Atlantic, and from 40°N to 75°N in the eastern
Atlantic (Figure 1).
There are no major gaps within this overall distribution where pilot
whales have never been reported. Where sightings have been infrequently
reported, for example in the central North Atlantic along the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge, there has been little searching effort.
The long-finned pilot whale occurs regularly along the continental shelf
break, usually in deeper more pelagic waters, but also in the open ocean
far removed from continental land masses. It occurs around several islands,
especially Greenland, Iceland, and the Faeroe Islands, again at the island
shelf breaks in deeper waters.
The distribution of long-finned pilot whales overlaps with that of the
short-finned pilot whales along the U.S. coast in the region from 35°N
to 40°N, and along the French and Spanish Atlantic coasts from roughly
40°N to 45°N. The distributional overlap in the Central Atlantic
is unknown. The relationship of the long-finned pilot whales reported
from Spanish and Italian Mediterranean waters to those in the Atlantic
is not clear.
A north-south seasonal movement pattern has been suggested for the long-finned
pilot whale in nearly all areas, although the Faeroe Islands drive fishery
occurs year-round, and in the eastern United States where seasonal sighting
surveys have been conducted, animals are present in all seasons (Figure
3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6).
Squid are the preferred prey in all locations where information is available,
although Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic cod may also be significant prey
items on occasion. Pilot whales may change their distribution patterns
as preferred prey species change in abundance.
Directed harvesting of pilot whales has occurred in three main areas
-- on Cape Cod, in Newfoundland, and in the Faeroe Islands -- illustrating
persistent distribution patterns. At present, a consistent harvest occurs
in the Faeroe Islands; aboriginal takes occur occasionally in other areas.
Bycatch of this species has occurred in recent years in Atlantic mackerel
and squid trawl fisheries of the eastern coast of the United States,
and in swordfish drift gillnet fisheries in both U.S. waters and in the
Mediterranean Sea.
The species is known to strand naturally, often in large numbers, in
several areas, especially along the northern shore of Cape Cod.
One major information gap in our understanding of distribution patterns
is the low level of sighting effort in the central North Atlantic, especially
seaward of the continental shelf break in U.S. waters, and between 30°W
and 50°W between 40°N and 60°N. Another information gap is
long-term diet history of pilot whales. Studies by Evans (1980), Desportes
(1985), and Desportes and Mouritsen (1993) have focused on stomach contents,
reflecting short-term diet history. Information on long-term diet history
of pilot whales of the eastern United States has been reported by Abend
and Smith (1995, 1997).
Given the lack of clear breaks in the distribution of pilot whales across
the North Atlantic, there is no basis from these data to suggest that
there are separate populations in the Atlantic. The situation is less
clear between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. On the other hand,
given the occurrence of the species year-round in several distant portions
of the Atlantic, there is also no evidence of a single population.
ENDNOTES
- Available from: Tim D. Smith, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Woods Hole, MA.
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. Johns, NF.
- ibid.
- Museum of Natural History, Torshavn, Faeroe Islands.
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Acronyms |
| CeTAP |
= |
(University of Rhode Island) Cetacean
and Turtle Assessment Program |
| GFRI |
= |
Greenland Fisheries Research Institute |
| MBO |
= |
Manomet Bird Observatory |
| NASS |
= |
North Atlantic Sighting Survey |
| NEFSC |
= |
(NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center |
| NMFS |
= |
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service |
| SCANS |
= |
Small Cetacean Abundance in the North Sea Survey |
