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Research Document - 2007/062

Killer whales of Atlantic Canada, with particular reference to the Newfoundland and Labrador Region

By Lawson, J., T. Stevens, and D. Snow

Abstract

We describe research results for studies of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Atlantic Canada. Based on opportunistic sightings data and a multi-year photographic catalogue, there were 363 sighting events between 1864 and 2007, with most being recorded in the last seven years and during the June-September period in the Newfoundland/Labrador Region. This pattern is likely a reflection of observer effort and an increased public awareness for this species. While most sightings have been made relatively close to shore, there have also been killer whales sighted in offshore areas, and in water depths in excess of 3000 meters. In the Atlantic Canada, killer whales have been sighted both alone and in groups, with group sizes ranging from 2-60 whales. Most groups have been comprised of 3-7 individuals. Based on the photographic records analysed to date, there are at least 63 individual killer whales in Newfoundland and Labrador, although this is likely to be an underestimate. Relatively few killer whale sightings have been recorded on the Scotian Shelf or in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (the latter despite appreciable aerial and vessel-based cetacean survey effort in recent years). Efforts are planned to collect further imagery and begin biopsy sampling to examine stock structure and relationships with other north Atlantic populations such as Greenlandic killer whales.

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