Position, swimming direction and group size of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the presence of a fast-ferry in the Bay of Biscay

Ana S. Aniceto; Jolynn Carroll; Michael J. Tetley; Cock van Oosterhout

doi:10.1016/j.oceano.2016.02.002

Position, swimming direction and group size of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the presence of a fast-ferry in the Bay of Biscay

Ana S. Aniceto, Jolynn Carroll, Michael J. Tetley, Cock van Oosterhout

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

12 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We analyze group size, swimming direction and the orientation of fin whales relative to a fast ferry in the Bay of Biscay. Fin whale groups (≥3 individuals) were on average closer to the vessel than single individuals and pairs (F1,114 = 4.94, p = 0.028) and were more often observed within a high-risk angle ahead of the ferry (binomial probability: p = 7.60 × 10−11). Also, small groups tend to swim in the opposite direction (heading of 180°) of the ferry at the starboard side (binomial test: p = 6.86 × 10−5) and at the portside (binomial test: p = 0.0156). These findings provide valuable information to improve shipping management procedures in areas at high risk for collisions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	235–240
Journal	Oceanologia
Volume	58
Issue number	3
Early online date	1 Mar 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceano.2016.02.002
Publication status	Published - Jul 2016

Keywords

Fin whales
Ship strikes
Behavior

Access to Document

10.1016/j.oceano.2016.02.002Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Aniceto et al
2016 Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Final published version, 901 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

@article{8f6b06f6a5134ab684189b180c16c418,

title = "Position, swimming direction and group size of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the presence of a fast-ferry in the Bay of Biscay",

abstract = "We analyze group size, swimming direction and the orientation of fin whales relative to a fast ferry in the Bay of Biscay. Fin whale groups (≥3 individuals) were on average closer to the vessel than single individuals and pairs (F1,114 = 4.94, p = 0.028) and were more often observed within a high-risk angle ahead of the ferry (binomial probability: p = 7.60 × 10−11). Also, small groups tend to swim in the opposite direction (heading of 180°) of the ferry at the starboard side (binomial test: p = 6.86 × 10−5) and at the portside (binomial test: p = 0.0156). These findings provide valuable information to improve shipping management procedures in areas at high risk for collisions.",

keywords = "Fin whales, Ship strikes, Behavior",

author = "Aniceto, {Ana S.} and Jolynn Carroll and Tetley, {Michael J.} and {van Oosterhout}, Cock",

note = "2016 Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license",

year = "2016",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1016/j.oceano.2016.02.002",

language = "English",

volume = "58",

pages = "235–240",

journal = "Oceanologia",

issn = "0078-3234",

publisher = "Polish Academy of Sciences Publishing House",

number = "3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Position, swimming direction and group size of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the presence of a fast-ferry in the Bay of Biscay

AU - Aniceto, Ana S.

AU - Carroll, Jolynn

AU - Tetley, Michael J.

AU - van Oosterhout, Cock

N1 - 2016 Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

PY - 2016/7

Y1 - 2016/7

N2 - We analyze group size, swimming direction and the orientation of fin whales relative to a fast ferry in the Bay of Biscay. Fin whale groups (≥3 individuals) were on average closer to the vessel than single individuals and pairs (F1,114 = 4.94, p = 0.028) and were more often observed within a high-risk angle ahead of the ferry (binomial probability: p = 7.60 × 10−11). Also, small groups tend to swim in the opposite direction (heading of 180°) of the ferry at the starboard side (binomial test: p = 6.86 × 10−5) and at the portside (binomial test: p = 0.0156). These findings provide valuable information to improve shipping management procedures in areas at high risk for collisions.

AB - We analyze group size, swimming direction and the orientation of fin whales relative to a fast ferry in the Bay of Biscay. Fin whale groups (≥3 individuals) were on average closer to the vessel than single individuals and pairs (F1,114 = 4.94, p = 0.028) and were more often observed within a high-risk angle ahead of the ferry (binomial probability: p = 7.60 × 10−11). Also, small groups tend to swim in the opposite direction (heading of 180°) of the ferry at the starboard side (binomial test: p = 6.86 × 10−5) and at the portside (binomial test: p = 0.0156). These findings provide valuable information to improve shipping management procedures in areas at high risk for collisions.

KW - Fin whales

KW - Ship strikes

KW - Behavior

U2 - 10.1016/j.oceano.2016.02.002

DO - 10.1016/j.oceano.2016.02.002

M3 - Article

VL - 58

SP - 235

EP - 240

JO - Oceanologia

JF - Oceanologia

SN - 0078-3234

IS - 3

ER -