TY - JOUR
TI - The distribution and habitat preference of coastally occurring Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the outer southern Moray firth, Northeast Scotland
AU - Robinson, K
AU - Tetley, M
AU - Michelson-Jacob, E
T2 - Journal of Coastal Conservation
AB - The coastal waters of the Moray Firth in northeast Scotland (57º41’N 2º40’W) provide rich, inshore feeding grounds for minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during the summer and autumnal months. In order to better understand the habitat selection, movements and feeding ecology of the animals utilising this North Sea region, distribution data from the southern coastline of the outer Moray Firth were subsequently examined with respect to the marine physiography of the area, specifically the environmental variables water depth, slope, aspect and sediment-type. A total of 305 minke whale encounters – collected from dedicated boat surveys conducted between May and October 2001 to 2006 inclusive – were used in the construction of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for the 860 square-km study site. The subsequent analysis revealed a strong spatial preference by whales in this location for water depths between 20 and 50 metres (mean 46.9 m, SD = 30.9), steep slopes (mean 75.7 degrees, SD = 8.9), a northerly-facing aspect and sandy-gravel sediment type. 
DA - 2009/04//
PY - 2009
VL - 13
IS - 1
SP - 39
EP - 48
UR - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226814382_The_distribution_and_habitat_preference_of_coastally_occurring_Minke_whales_Balaenoptera_acutorostrata_in_the_outer_southern_Moray_firth_Northeast_Scotland
DO - 10.1007/s11852-009-0050-2
LA - English
KW - Marine Energy
KW - Marine Mammals
ER -