First descriptions of common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) movements off the Eastern Coast of the United States using satellite telemetry

Common minke whales ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ; hereafter, “minke whales”) are globally distributed, but can exhibit cryptic behavior and sometimes occur in small groups, and are thus challenging to study. Like other baleen whales, this species makes seasonal migrations. However, aspects of their movement and behavioral patterns are not well understood. The Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB), situated along the eastern coast of the United States, is a known migratory route for minke whales, but earlier observations suggest this area may also serve as foraging grounds despite various natural and anthropogenic stressors. We deployed three satellite tags on minke whales, including two in the New York Bight (NYB) in September 2023 and one off of Virginia (VA) in February 2024, to characterize movement patterns in and around the MAB. These tags yield the first record of minke whale movements in this area and the first dive record for minke whales in the broader northwest Atlantic. The animals showed two types of movement, area restricted search (ARS) and transit, likely reflecting foraging and migratory behavior, respectively. In the NYB, we found evidence of ARS in mid-shelf waters, including in offshore wind lease areas. In VA coastal waters, ARS was documented in and around shipping lanes. We also found evidence of southward migration in autumn, with one animal exhibiting a shift from ARS to sustained transitory movements in late October. In the NYB, the whales exhibited strong diel trends in diving behavior, but this was not observed for the individual off VA. These data provide initial quantification of minke whale behavior and habitat use in the MAB, including in areas that overlap with anthropogenic activities, providing insight for further research, management and conservation.