Killer whale ( Orcinus orca ) seasonal acoustic presence in two widely separated regions of the Eastern Canadian Arctic

Résumé fourni par la source

Killer whale presence is well-documented in the Eastern Canadian Arctic (ECA). Their movements and habitat use are likely correlated with the distribution of prey species (e.g., narwhals and seals) and constrained by the seasonal advance and retreat of sea ice. However, questions remain about killer whale ecology in the Arctic, including their movements and subsequent impacts of predation on endemic cetacean populations. Killer whales are readily identified in underwater acoustic recordings from their stereotyped pulsed calls, enabling studies of movements and distribution in widely separated acoustic monitoring sites. Year-round acoustic recordings from Nunavut (2017–2024) and Nunatsiavut (2021–2024), Canada were analyzed for killer whale pulsed calls by students from two U.S. high schools. Killer whale calls were seasonally present during open water in both regions, with one call detected in both Nunatsiavut and Nunavut. These findings contribute to a growing understanding of the distribution and movement patterns of these apex predators in the ECA; a priority for Inuit communities where killer whales may compete for access to marine mammals hunted for subsistence. This collaborative research project includes youth, Inuit residents of the study region, and collaborators from multiple U.S. and Canadian institutions, reflecting a powerful, multigenerational approach to research.

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