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

Aniceto, Ana S., Carroll, Jolynn, Tetley, Michael J. and Van Oosterhout, Cock ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5653-738X (2016) Position, swimming direction and group size of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the presence of a fast-ferry in the Bay of Biscay. Oceanologia, 58 (3). 235–240. ISSN 0078-3234

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	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
Uncontrolled Keywords:	fin whales,ship strikes,behavior
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	06 May 2016 14:00
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2022 01:07
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/58591
DOI:	10.1016/j.oceano.2016.02.002

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