Novel Surface Feeding Tactics of Minke Whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence National Marine Park

Authors

  • Katie J. Kuker Ocean Research and Education Society (ORES), P.O. Box 117, Les Bergeronnes, Québec G0T 1G0
  • Jordan A. Thomson Ocean Research and Education Society (ORES), P.O. Box 117, Les Bergeronnes, Québec G0T 1G0
  • Ursula Tscherter Ocean Research and Education Society (ORES), P.O. Box 117, Les Bergeronnes, Québec G0T 1G0

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v119i2.109

Keywords:

Minke Whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, St. Lawrence Estuary, foraging, surface feeding, specialization, behaviour

Abstract

Surface feeding behaviours of Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the mouth and fjord of the Saguenay River, Québec, were documented between June and October 2003. Several novel behaviours associated with gathering prey into dense, nearsurface aggregations prior to a feeding strike were observed. To our knowledge, these behaviours have not been described in detail and may be exclusive to this area or to these individuals. A small number of known Minke Whales show strong site fidelity to the Saguenay region, providing an ideal opportunity for the study of foraging behaviour at the individual level.

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