Marine biologists’ work in Cape Breton uncovers previously unknown behavior in pilot whales

Research takes place in northern Cape Breton, where observers work in partnership with local whale-watch operators.

The Cape Breton Pilot Whale Project, a research hub located in Bay St. Lawrence, began its summer research by sharing that past findings aided in the Cape Breton Trough were recently recognized as a globally Important Marine Mammal Area. The project was established in 1998 by members of the Whitehead Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Their research takes place in northern Cape Breton, where observers work in partnership with local whale-watch operators.

They return each summer to collect photographic, behavioural, acoustic, and environmental data on free-ranging pilot whales. The project database contains over 2,000 individuals, 30 to 40 per cent of whom are seen annually. “This yearly return allows us to collect valuable data, important for forming a baseline knowledge of this species in Canadian waters,” said Elizabeth Zwamborn, marine biologist and lead researcher at the project.

OTHER SPECIES STUDIED While their research is mainly focused on pilot whales off the coast of Cape Breton, the team will collect data on any other cetacean species encountered. They also keep an eye out for endangered leatherback turtles which can be found in the area during the late summer and fall months. The project is now spearheaded by Zwamborn, who, when not in Cape Breton, works out of Trinity Western University, in British Columbia.

Part of the work the research hub continues to do is document a population of long-finned pilot whales that returns to the northwestern coast of Cape Breton between the months of July and October. “There are only a few places around the world where the normally deep-water dwelling long-finned pilot whales return annually in large numbers to feed on squid and fish in shallow waters,” said Zwamborn. Research done in this area is showing scientists that when it comes to leadership, pilot whales can sense an action quicker and in a different way than primates.

This behavior shows a synchrony in how they use group formations in making decisions. The Gulf of the St. Lawrence is also considered important to researchers, as most calves are born during mid-summer when this population of long-finned pilot whales is using the coastal, sheltered environment. It is thought that this may be beneficial for newborn calves as the area is a less harsh environment than the high seas.

For this reason, the Cape Breton Trough area has recently been recognized as a globally Important Marine Mammal Area by the Marine Mammals Protected Areas Task Force for long-finned pilot whales. CAPE BRETON TROUGH The Cape Breton Trough is located along northeastern Cape Breton, extending approximately 80 km from Margaree Harbour to Cape North and includes nearby coastal waters.

The trough itself is defined by waters deeper than 100 metres which run parallel to the western coast of Cape Breton, meeting up with the Laurentian Channel at its northeastern end. “This summer is a basic monitoring year focused on photo identification data collection as well as documenting behaviour,” said Zwamborn. The team hopes to also add some drone footage if the weather and pilot whale sightings allow.

“Photo identification is extremely valuable as it helps us look at dynamics across years, including how mark rates change, how social structure changes, and what birth rates are from year to year,” said Zwamborn. SUMMER PROJECT The project has observers documenting long-finned pilot whales each summer until Sept. 30.

Their most intensive month of fieldwork spans from late July through late August, shared Zwamborn, when calm seas often correspond with more pilot whales moving into coastal areas. Zwamborn said she is also “looking forward” to welcoming back the Dalhousie University marine mammals field course. Students from this course typically spend three days out on the water, learning about the pilot whales and collecting data for their final research projects.

The entire project in Bay St. Lawrence is community focused, explained Zwamborn. While it does run dedicated research-only surveys, they also work alongside different whale watching companies to further understand the local long-finned pilot whale population. This gives the team an avenue to share what they have learned with both locals and the public.

The lead researcher said this furthers the project’s goal of making real-time working science accessible to the public. Adam McNamara is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for The Victoria Reporter