Whitehead, H., A. Faucher, S. Gowans, and S. McCarrey.
Canadian Field-Naturalist 111: 287-292. 1997.
Abstract
A population of approximately 230 Northern Bottlenose Whales, Hyperoodon ampullatus, uses the Gully, a prominent submarine canyon on the edge of the Scotian Shelf. These animals use the Gully throughout the year. Approximately 57% of the population reside in a 20 km x 8 km core area at the entrance of the canyon at any time. The Gully animals seem to be largely or totally distinct from the population seen off northern Labrador: they are smaller and appear to breed at a different time of year. Threats to the population include commercial shipping, fishing and oil and gas developments. One oil and gas discoverty of commercial interest, the Primrose Field, lies about 5 km from the core area of this population. The population is vulnerable because of its small size, location at the extreme southern limit of the species' range, and year-round dependence on a small and unique sea area. It is threatened by plans for the development of the oil and gas fields close to the Gully.
Key Words: Northern Bottlenose Whale, baleine a bec commune, Hyperoodon
ampullatus, Cetacea, Odontoceti, the Gully, submarine canyon, Nova Scotia.