Transatlantic Surveys of Seabirds, Cetaceans and Turtles, July 2013 and July 2018

Wakefield, E. (2018) Transatlantic Surveys of Seabirds, Cetaceans and Turtles, July 2013 and July 2018. Project Report. University of Glasgow. (Unpublished)

Abstract

Analysis of multi-species tracking data suggest that an area of the deep northwest Atlantic bounded by Flemish Cap, Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone and Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) has a relatively high abundance and diversity of pelagic seabirds. It is also thought to be important for other wideranging, air-breathing higher predators, including cetaceans and tunas. The area’s oceanography is dominated by a system of banded zonal fronts associated with the North Atlantic Current and this may be responsible for levels of diversity and abundance that are unusual for oceanic waters. The area is currently therefore being considered by the OSPAR Committee as a candidate high seas Marine Protected Area (cMPA). The seabird distribution patterns inferred from tracking data were confirmed in part by research cruise DY080, which surveyed the area in June 2017. However, weather during that cruise was not ideal for detecting small and medium deep-diving cetaceans and relatively few other at-sea surveys have been carried out in the deep northwest Atlantic. Here, I summarise seabird, cetacean and turtle sightings from surveys carried out opportunistically during transatlantic crossings aboard a cruise ship in July 2013 and July 2018, which passed though the cMPA. In 2013, 180 km of track was surveyed, with the weather being ideal for detecting cetaceans in the southwest of the cMPA. In 2018, 470 km of track was surveyed. The weather was poorer for detecting cetaceans in the cMPA but ideal to the east of the MAR. Seabird data support the findings of previous studies, showing high seabird diversity and abundance between the Flemish Cap and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. During the cruises, great shearwaters, northern fulmars and Cory’s shearwaters dominated the avifauna of cMPA. Long-tailed and south polar skuas were also relatively abundant and a Fea’s petrel was sighted for the first time at sea in the cMPA, confirming tracking observations of this species. In 2013, a high diversity of cetaceans was recorded in the southwest of the cMPA, including Kogia and Mesoplodon spp. and in 2018 common minke whales were recorded for the first time in the cMPA. These results suggest that the cMPA has a relatively high diversity of cetaceans. An area of high cetacean diversity, including Sowerby’s beaked whales and northern bottlenose whales, was also encountered east of the MAR in 2018, in the vicinity of the Thulean Rise.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Project Report)
• Status: Unpublished
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wakefield, Dr Ewan
• Authors: Wakefield, E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Publisher: University of Glasgow
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Author
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the author