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Northern Bottlenose Whale

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The Northern Bottlenose Whale is a toothed whale that can be found in the northern parts of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a brownish-gray colour with a bulging forehead, a pronounced beak, and muscular physique.

There are two populations in Canadian waters: the Baffin-Labrador population, off the coast of Labrador, and the Scotian shelf population,  off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Diet

Most of its diet is made up of deep-water squid. In addition, it consumes a variety of fish and benthic invertebrates.

Size

Adults average 8.8 m in length and have an average mass of 4,900 kg.

Population

It is challenging to assess the whale's population due to its concentrated population areas, deep diving behaviour, and tendency to approach ships. According to most estimates, there are currently between 15,000 and 40,000.

Scientific Name

Hyperoodon ampullatusr

Conservation Status

COSEWIC Status of the Scotian Shelf population “SSP”): Endangered
SARA Status of the SSP: Endangered

Habitat & Range

The northern bottlenose whale only inhabits the northern parts of the North Atlantic, primarily the waters off Norway, Spitzbergen, Iceland, Greenland, and Labrador. At the mouth of the Gully, a shallow canyon on the edge of the Scotian Shelf, northern bottlenose whale sightings are regular throughout the year.

Northern bottlenose whales prefer cold, deep waters (more than 1,000 metres). Particular concentrations are frequently observed close to regions where the ocean floor is particularly inclined

Northern Bottlenose Whale in Newfoundland & Labrador

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Abominationem modeste ac necessaria Politius Fruges, Defunctos, non vitae insultum at Circumventus hac Succursu troiano hic Legitima Possim Consuetudium Praeveniri (EROS), qui Opponite Necessitate et Quisque Consuetudium (QUOS), Regnabit Aliquam et Adlaborabunt cum Communem (CRAS), Moriar Conferenduin Consiliorum est aut Primum at Adlaborabunt (AUGUE), nec dui Bannis Depauperatio Contemptor (CUM).

Special Notes

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Moenia legere eos rerum vel etiam rutrum modo, qui lius ut nunc pede dui donec incidunt formam ipsa iuribus vel potens id est eorum bonorum in patres in quocumque. Iusto possimus nibh Victrici populo hic, sed hic domina ille uidem legunt usus facer. Non absoluta eum eum ex p autem ipsam qui benevolam, convaluit nobis at quas sed arcana.

THREATS

The northern bottlenose whale still faces a number of risks despite the fact that humans are no longer hunting them. The killer whale is now its principal predator. Although some individuals become entangled in fishnets, the threat is typically rated as low or unknown. Human-caused contaminants and oil spills can also be harmful. 

Another big concern is noise pollution. Due to its reliance on sound for foraging, navigation, and communication, the northern bottlenose whale can be negatively impacted by loud human activities. These activities can include military drills, oil and gas drilling, and navy sonar. 

CURRENT PROTECTIONS

Northern bottlenose whales are protected from hunting by both national and international laws. Additionally, a number of initiatives have been launched to protect the Gully population.

In order to prevent shipping related to the development from interfering with the whales, the oil company Lasmo, which is using the Cohasset-Panuke field 110 km to the west of the Gully, has designated a “tanker exclusion zone” that includes the Gully.

For the northern bottlenose whales, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has created a “Whale Sanctuary” in the Gully. The Gully is to be avoided at all costs or should be navigated with caution.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Parks Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada, and other organizations are taking into consideration the formation of a Marine Protected Area in the Gully.

further resources

ASCF Salmon Hub

The go-to resource for salmon conservation: best-practice guides, instruction manuals, videos, scientific research and more. Explore one of the topics below for key resources or search the entire database for the complete list of reference materials.

Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland (SAEN)

Investing in the Future of our Salmon & Trout.

SPAWN

Salmon Preservation Association for the Waters of Newfoundland & Labrador

​Angler's Guide 2022-2023 for Newfoundland and Labrador

Published by Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Atlantic Salmon Fishway Counts

Published by Fisheries and Oceans Canada​

Canada’s Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Salmon - General Information

Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture

Hook and Release Study

Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture

Scheduled Salmon Rivers

Published by Fisheries and Oceans Canada​

Real-Time River Flow Data

Real-Time Hydrometric Data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Atlantic Salmon Federation

ASF is a world-leading science and advocacy organization dedicated to conserving and restoring wild Atlantic salmon.

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