Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast
Abstract Vessel strikes are a critical threat to endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), significantly contributing to their elevated mortality. Accurate estimates of these mortality rates are essential for developing effective management strategies to aid in the species’ recov...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84886-z |
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| author | Hannah Blondin Lance P. Garrison Jeffrey D. Adams Jason J. Roberts Caroline P. Good Meghan P. Gahm Niki E. Lisi Eric M. Patterson |
| author_facet | Hannah Blondin Lance P. Garrison Jeffrey D. Adams Jason J. Roberts Caroline P. Good Meghan P. Gahm Niki E. Lisi Eric M. Patterson |
| author_sort | Hannah Blondin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Vessel strikes are a critical threat to endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), significantly contributing to their elevated mortality. Accurate estimates of these mortality rates are essential for developing effective management strategies to aid in the species’ recovery. This study enhances existing vessel strike models by incorporating detailed regional data on vessel traffic characteristics as well as whale distribution and behavior. Our model assesses the spatial and temporal variability in vessel strike risk along the U.S. east coast apportioned into three vessel length classes (26–65 feet, 65–350 feet, > 350 feet). By including regional right whale depth distributions and parameterizing potential whale avoidance based on factors such as descent rate, bottom depth, and vessel speed and size, the model provides a refined estimation of mortality risk. We also address the underrepresentation of smaller vessel activity via a correction factor, offering a more accurate annual mortality risk estimate for each vessel size class. These findings highlight that vessels > 350 feet in length pose the greatest risk to right whales. Simulations of reduced vessel speeds indicate that speed measures can mitigate mortality rates; however, residual risk remains even at speeds of 10 knots or less suggesting limitations to this mitigation approach. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ca4bd079b080412883dee6d7c5ca9e56 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-ca4bd079b080412883dee6d7c5ca9e562025-01-05T12:20:39ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111610.1038/s41598-024-84886-zVessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coastHannah Blondin0Lance P. Garrison1Jeffrey D. Adams2Jason J. Roberts3Caroline P. Good4Meghan P. Gahm5Niki E. Lisi6Eric M. Patterson7University of Miami University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine & Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS)NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science CenterOffice of Protected Resources, NOAA FisheriesMarine Geospatial Ecology Laboratory, Duke UniversityOffice of Protected Resources, NOAA FisheriesOffice of Protected Resources, NOAA FisheriesOffice of Protected Resources, NOAA FisheriesOffice of Protected Resources, NOAA FisheriesAbstract Vessel strikes are a critical threat to endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), significantly contributing to their elevated mortality. Accurate estimates of these mortality rates are essential for developing effective management strategies to aid in the species’ recovery. This study enhances existing vessel strike models by incorporating detailed regional data on vessel traffic characteristics as well as whale distribution and behavior. Our model assesses the spatial and temporal variability in vessel strike risk along the U.S. east coast apportioned into three vessel length classes (26–65 feet, 65–350 feet, > 350 feet). By including regional right whale depth distributions and parameterizing potential whale avoidance based on factors such as descent rate, bottom depth, and vessel speed and size, the model provides a refined estimation of mortality risk. We also address the underrepresentation of smaller vessel activity via a correction factor, offering a more accurate annual mortality risk estimate for each vessel size class. These findings highlight that vessels > 350 feet in length pose the greatest risk to right whales. Simulations of reduced vessel speeds indicate that speed measures can mitigate mortality rates; however, residual risk remains even at speeds of 10 knots or less suggesting limitations to this mitigation approach.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84886-zNorth Atlantic right whalesRisk modelHuman wildlife conflictVessel strikeEndangered speciesConservation |
| spellingShingle | Hannah Blondin Lance P. Garrison Jeffrey D. Adams Jason J. Roberts Caroline P. Good Meghan P. Gahm Niki E. Lisi Eric M. Patterson Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast Scientific Reports North Atlantic right whales Risk model Human wildlife conflict Vessel strike Endangered species Conservation |
| title | Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast |
| title_full | Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast |
| title_fullStr | Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast |
| title_short | Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast |
| title_sort | vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered north atlantic right whales along the united states east coast |
| topic | North Atlantic right whales Risk model Human wildlife conflict Vessel strike Endangered species Conservation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84886-z |
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