Whale Insight - An interactive map of North Atlantic right whale detections in Canada
Advanced map
If you would like to filter the data and browse whale sightings in more detail, you can try the advanced interactive version of the Whale Insight map.
Most requested
This interactive map displays North Atlantic right whale detections in eastern Canadian waters. These detections are either visually observed by aerial and at-sea surveillance, or recorded with acoustic technology. They are made by several groups that undertake monitoring and surveillance activities in Canadian waters.
Right whales are constantly on the move. The map shows the location and time that visual or acoustic detections were made. It does not show where all right whales are at any given time or track individual whales.
Detections are reported to the map as soon as crews are able, usually within the same day, and the map display is updated every fifteen minutes. All detections shown have been validated by a marine mammal expert.
The interactive summary map below displays the last two weeks of detections, and more information can be added by clicking the layer button on the right hand side. Go to the advanced Whale Insight map to explore the data from 2017 onward in eastern Canadian waters using filters. Visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration right whale sightings advisory system to view right whale detections within US waters.
Summary map
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Map key
- Home button
- Click this button to reset the map to its original extent.
- Legend
- Click this button to display the dynamic legend, which adjusts depending on your chosen layers and filters.
- Layer selection tool
- Click this button to show a list of map layers that can be turned off or on.
- Basemap selection tool
- Click this button to show a list of basemaps that can be chosen for the map.
- Toggle fullscreen
- Use this button to make the map full screen. [currently not available on mobile devices]
- Definite sighting
- These mark the approximate locations of whale sightings where the species has been validated by an expert. Sightings are often associated with a dedicated survey platform, but can also be reported opportunistically and validated with photographic or video evidence. Click on the marker to learn more about the sighting.
- Definite acoustic detection
- These mark the position of an acoustic platform (glider or buoy) when a whale call is detected and the species has been validated by an expert. More information on the glider platforms and the analysis protocol can be found here. More information on the buoy platforms and the analysis protocol can be found here. Click on the marker to learn more about the detection.
- Possible acoustic detection
- These mark the position of an acoustic platform (glider or buoy) when a whale call is detected and the species cannot be validated by an expert. More information on the glider platforms and the analysis protocol can be found here. More information on the buoy platforms and the analysis protocol can be found here. Click on the marker to learn more about the detection.
- Acoustic glider survey track
- These lines indicate the approximate survey path of an underwater glider equipped with a system to detect whale sounds. These autonomous vehicles survey at slow speeds over weeks to months.
- Vessel visual survey track
- These lines show the paths of survey vessels while actively surveying for whales. Breaks in these lines indicate times when the survey teams on board stopped surveying.
- Aerial visual survey track
- These lines indicate the approximate track of survey planes looking for whales. Some aerial platforms provide the entire flight path which does not necessarily indicate times when the teams were actively surveying.
- Latest acoustic glider position
- These icons show the latest position of an acoustic glider that is currently operating and listening for whales.
- Latest acoustic buoy position
- These icons show the position of a moored buoy that is currently operating and listening for right whales.
- Shipping lane
- These polygons show traffic separation schemes used to direct the flow of ship traffic in congested or dangerous areas. Most of the relevant shipping lanes from Atlantic Canada are included, but these are not comprehensive.
- Ferry routes
- These lines indicate the approximate route by ferry. Most of the relevant ferry routes from Atlantic Canada are included, but these are not comprehensive.
- Shallow water protocol lines
- The 10 and 20 fathom shallow water protocol lines may not match the true depth measurements seen on different maps and charts as these lines have been generalized to implement management measures to protect the North Atlantic Right Whales. DFO does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data for any specific use.
- North Atlantic right whale critical habitat
- These polygons represent North Atlantic right whale critical habitat.
- Home button
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Partners
Data is collected from a variety of partners, including:
- Canada Whale Institute
- Center for Coastal Studies
- Dalhousie University Fisheries Oceanography Laboratory
- Mingan Island Cetacean Study
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Protected Species Branch
- New England Aquarium
- Nick Hawkins Photography
- Ocean Tracking Network
- Transport Canada
- University of New Brunswick
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution / robots4whales
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Acknowledgments
Whale Insight is modeled after WhaleMap, which was developed by Hansen Johnson, as part of the MEOPAR-WHALE project at Dalhousie University. More detailed information is available in the WhaleMap publication.
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More information
- Protecting whales
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Management Measures
- North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Right Whale Sightings Map
- Ropeless Consortium
- North Atlantic Right Whale Catalogue
- Canadian Wildlife Federation
- Marine Animal Response Society
- Whale Alert App
Questions or comments?
Contact us at DFO.WhaleInsight-BaleineEnVue.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Report a marine mammal incident or sighting
Disclaimer:
- The maps and data that are contained in this application have been made available for information purposes only and should not be used for navigation or fishing.
- Data is collected by various partner organizations and is not to be used without permission from the contributors.
- These are preliminary data and are subject to change. For example, calf counts may change following a review of imagery and validation of identification.
- Survey effort has not been quantified. Lack of detections does not represent a lack of species present in a particular area.
- Most near real-time detections focus on the North Atlantic right whale. Detections of other large baleen whale species are displayed only if available in near real-time.
- Acoustic detections made by Viking buoys currently focus on the North Atlantic right whale, whereas the automated underwater gliders detect calls from other large baleen whale species.
- Misalignment of some datasets may occur due to the methods used to produce the original mapping products.
- While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the data is correct, DFO does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data for any specific use.
- Date modified: