North Atlantic right whales are critically endangered. With inbreeding suspected as a major factor in the species’ low birth rate, a Canadian-U.S. team of scientists is trying to assess how genetic factors are hampering the right whale’s recovery.
Genome Atlantic and Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, together with the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, Boston, are teaming up on a $6 million, four-year study to find out. The Large-Scale Applied Research Project, funded by Genome Canada and managed by Genome Atlantic, is expected to get under way between July and September this year.
It is hoped the project’s findings will help conservation efforts become “more effective and efficient,” said Dr. Tim Frasier, one of the project’s two co-leads. A specialist in genetic analyses and marine mammal behaviour, he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, Saint Mary’s University.
“Our work is focused on using genomic data to quantify the impact of inbreeding on reproductive success and species recovery, and to identify if there are long-term negative consequences of non-lethal entanglements in fishing gear,” he said. Genetic implications of non-deadly vessel strikes will also be investigated.
Given current failures to stop or reverse the right whale’s continuing decline, it is anticipated insights from the project could prove critical.
Genome Atlantic gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through Genome Canada, as well as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the provincial governments of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
Genome Atlantic is one of 7 Genome Centres in Canada that are part of the Genome Canada Enterprise. This network encourages collaboration, with each centre focusing on the needs of their respective regions.
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