Mapping Arctic cetaceans from space: A case study for beluga and narwhal

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Remote sensing
• Wildlife monitoring

Background:

• Wildlife population monitoring is crucial for conservation efforts.
• Remote sensing technologies offer novel approaches for wildlife detection.
• Arctic cetaceans, such as narwhals and beluga whales, are challenging to study due to their remote habitats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery for detecting and classifying Arctic cetaceans.
• To evaluate the use of WorldView-3 satellite data for monitoring narwhal (Monodon monoceros) and beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) populations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 12 VHR WorldView-3 satellite images (0.31 m resolution) acquired in August 2017 and 2019.
• Imagery covered Clearwater Fiord and Tremblay Sound, key Arctic cetacean habitats on Baffin Island, Canada.
• Identification and classification of marine mammals within the analyzed image datasets.

Main Results:

• A total of 292 beluga whales and 109 narwhals were successfully detected in the VHR satellite images.
• The study demonstrated the capability of VHR satellite imagery to identify and count marine mammals in their natural environment.
• Specific whale individuals were not identified, but population counts were achieved.

Conclusions:

• VHR satellite imagery is a viable tool for detecting and monitoring Arctic cetacean populations.
• This technology enhances our understanding of marine mammal distribution and abundance in remote Arctic areas.
• Satellite remote sensing provides a valuable, non-invasive method for wildlife research.