Sperm whales associated with Gulf Stream features off the north-eastern USA shelf |
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| Authors: | GORDON T WARING CAROL P FAIRFIELD CYNTHIA M RUHSAM MARGARET SANO |
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| Institution: | National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, U.S.A. 02543;U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, 381 ElaenSt., Hemaon, Virginia, U.S.A. 22070;NationaI Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Narragansett, Rhode Island, U.S.A. 02882;Ocean Surveys Inc., 91 Sheffield St., Old Saybrook, Connecticut, U.S.A. 06475 |
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| Abstract: | Marine mammal surveys were conducted during sum Mer 1990 and 1991 in shelf-edge and off-shelf waters between Cape Hatteras and Georges Bank. Sperm whales were the most frequently sighted large whale in both years, constituting 27.9% and 12.7% of total sightings in 1990 and 1991, respectively. Sighting rates of sperm whales that were within a 9.3 km buffer (5 n.m.) of the Gulf Stream north wall were not significantly different (x2= 2.86, P > 0.05) from those within the Gulf Stream during 1990. In 1991, however, significantly more (x2= 51.0, P < 0.05) sightings were associated with shelf-edge areas where warm core rings were located. |
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| Keywords: | Gulf Stream sperm whales warm core rings |
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