New York Bight is a key spring habitat for endangered sei whales, research reveals
Why it matters: This research will inform policies and practices to improve protection for endangered sei whales in the New York Bight.
- WCS and WHOI scientists led a new study, published in Scientific Reports, identifying the New York Bight as a key spring habitat for endangered sei whales.
- Acoustic monitoring data collected using WHOI-developed technology from 2017 to 2020 documented that 95% of sei whale vocalizations occurred between March and May, peaking in late spring when water temperatures are 41-48 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Maria Papadopoulos, lead author and WCS researcher, noted that sei whales vocalize more frequently during daylight hours, a pattern consistent with reduced calling at night when they are thought to be feeding.
- Sei whales, listed as Endangered, are one of the least-studied large whales in the North Atlantic, averaging 47 feet long and weighing 44,000 pounds.
New research from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) reveals the New York Bight is a critical spring habitat for endangered sei whales, not just a migratory corridor. Acoustic monitoring from 2017-2020 shows strong seasonal and daily patterns in their presence and vocal activity, peaking in late spring and during daylight hours, suggesting potential feeding grounds and heightened sensitivity to human disruption.
