PROJECTS

Mid-Atlantic Nearshore & Mid-shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring

Status

No topics.

Ocean

Region

Introduction & Objectives

Researchers from HDR and the U.S. Navy have been to conducting a variety of monitoring activities in the Virginia Capes Operating Area (VACAPES OPAREA) within the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) region since 2012, including vessel-based line transect surveys, behavioral focal follows, photo-identification (photo-ID), biopsy sampling, and satellite-linked telemetry tracking with long-term objectives of documenting marine mammal seasonal occurrence, habitat use, and baseline behavioral ecology in areas with relatively high levels of military and commercial shipping activity. Early work in the nearshore waters focused on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), and later humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), although other species including endangered fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and North Atlantic right whales (NARW) (Eubalaena glacialis) are known to frequent the region as well. 

The Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring Project began in 2015 and provides critical insight on how protected humpbacks utilize waters along the coast of southeastern Virginia and near the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. Results show extended periods of residency over weeks to months, with some whales frequenting the dredged shipping channels used by large vessels (Aschettino et al., 2020). Although this work has been largely focused on humpbacks, relatively little information exists on how other species of baleen whales, including endangered fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and North Atlantic right whales (NARW) (Eubalaena glacialis), utilize the central waters of the VACAPES OPAREA.

Passive acoustic monitoring results from autonomous gliders and Marine Autonomous Recording Units (MARU) confirm that humpback, fin, sei, minke, and NARW regularly utilize the continental shelf waters off the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina (Baumgartner 2019, Salisbury et al. 2018, Stanistreet et al. 2016). Acoustic detections are supported by visual sighting data collected by the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS), as well as a variety of previous Navy-supported aerial and vessel surveys (Mallette et al. 2018).

Fin whales, considered a strategic stock given their endangered status, appear to show a consistent pattern of occurrence near or over the continental shelf break throughout VACAPES (Hayes et al. 2022, Mallette et al. 2018). Led by researchers from HDR Inc., satellite-monitored tags deployed on fin between 2016 and 2021 within VACAPES show both limited and extensive movements over all areas of the continental shelf (Engelhaupt et al. 2017, Engelhaupt et al. 2018, Engelhaupt et al. 2019, Aschettino et al. 2018, Aschettino et al. 2021, Aschettino et al. 2022). Confirmed sightings of critically endangered NARW off Virginia have increased as survey coverage during the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Project has extend further from and movements of satellite tagged NARWs show extensive use of the mid-shelf region to both the north and south of the primary study area (Aschettino et al. 2022, Engelhaupt et al. 2022). Although sightings of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) off Virginia are infrequent, they have now been documented during surveys in 2018 (Engelhaupt et al. 2019), 2019 (Cotter 2019), 2021 (Engelhaupt 2022a), and 2022, and location data from two satellite tagged blue whales showed at least some movements through the shallow continental shelf waters (Lesage et al. 2017; Engelhaupt 2022a).          

Building upon the long-term data collection established through ongoing monitoring of humpback whales, this project establishes an expansion of the existing study area to encompass mid-shelf waters out to approximately 40 NM from shore where baleen whale species variability increases.   The goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies by addressing the following questions:

  • What is the baseline ecology and behavior of baleen whales (including critically endangered NARWs, fin whales, humpback whales, sei whales, minke whales, and blue whales) within the study area?
  • Do individual whales exhibit site-fidelity within specific regions of the U.S. Navy OPAREAs over periods of weeks, months, years?
  • What is the seasonal extent of baleen whale movements within and around U.S. Navy OPAREAs?
  • Do baleen whales spend significant time within or primarily move through areas of U.S. Navy live-fire or ASW training events?
  • Are baleen whale movement patterns affected by U.S. Navy training exercises?
  • Are baleen whales likely exposed to significant sound levels produced by vessel traffic and/or military training exercises using active sonar?

Technical Approach

The primary study area encompasses the nearshore and mid-shelf waters of the VACAPES OPAREA along the southern Virginia and northern North Carolina coasts including within and around the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The operating area for each survey is chosen depending on weather and marine conditions, reports of whales in the area, and coordination with aerial surveys.

This project relies on non-systematic visual surveys conducted from small to medium-sized vessels utilizing a variety of techniques including photo-identification, small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), biopsy sampling, and tagging using medium-resolution satellite tags and high-resolution suction cup tags. Nearshore work with humpback whales will be typically limited to continuing long-term photo-ID monitoring and assessment of body condition and overall health.  Tag deployments will primarily be conducted in the mid-shelf region on a variety of baleen whale species opportunistically, although NARW are a high priority.  During each encounter, efforts are made to collect photographs of the dorsal fins, tail flukes, and callosities for identification. Biopsy samples may also be collected for sex determination and genetic analysis. 

Satellite or suction-cup tags may be deployed depending on the species and potentially individual identification, with a very specific protocol for tagging right whales. Medium-resolution Wildlife Computers Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT6) Argos-linked satellite tags as well as SPLASH10 and SPLASH10F variations that record diving behavior and integrate Fastloc© GPS (Wildtrack Telemetry Systems Limited) will be utilized in the Low Impact Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter (LIMPET) configuration. These small tags measure only two inches in length and height and less than an inch wide. On most baleen whales, preferred location is on or near the dorsal hump or fin.  For right whales the tags are attached approximately mid-line in the dorsal region in as close a proximity as possible to the shoulder blades. This placement allows frequent transmissions to the Argos satellites when the animals surface, providing data on location and diving behavior. The tags are designed to eventually fall off the animal after a period of weeks to months. 

High-resolution suction cup tags include version 3 DTAGs (Johnson and Tyack 2003) and CATS tags, both deployed using a hand-held carbon fiber pole. Both types of tags are equipped with hydrophones and pressure sensors as well as a three-axis accelerometer and magnetometer.  The CATS tag also collects HD video which will be used to examine foraging, surfacing, and social behavior in detail. Suction cup tags are programmed to release after a specified duration and can be located and recovered with a radio VHF receiver following release.

Primary objectives during field work include:

  1. Collect baseline occurrence data (location, group size, behavior) of baleen whales
  2. Obtain identification photographs and drone video footage for inclusion in regional and local catalogs, as well as morphometric measurements and health assessments
  3. Collect biopsy samples of baleen whales for sex determination, mitochondrial control region sequencing, and microsatellite genotyping of tissue samples, and stable isotope analysis to assess foraging related to prey consumption
  4. Deploy satellite and suction-cup tags to document seasonal movement patterns in the nearshore and mid-shelf waters off Virginia Beach, specifically whether the whales spend significant time in areas of high shipping traffic and/or areas of U.S. Navy training exercises

Progress & Results

This project transitioned from the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring Project in November 2020. From November 2020 through March 2025, researchers from HDR and the U.S. Navy have conducted 117 seasonal nearshore and mid-shelf surveys, totaling 870 hours of effort covering 15,551km of trackline. During these surveys, there have been 252 baleen whale sightings of 420 individuals. When looking at both projects in total, between 2015 and 2025 there have been 723 baleen whale sightings of 1,068 individuals over the course of 247 surveys (28,866 km of trackline).

The program's humpback whale catalog consists of 369 individuals seen in the area between 2012 and 2025. Humpback photo-IDs are incorporated into the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog and also shared with other regional catalogs, including Happy Whale. Although matching for these images is ongoing, matches to known animals from the Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon have been made. Photographs of NARWs are also submitted to the New England Aquarium for incorporation into the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog (http://rwcatalog.neaq.org/). The 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25 field seasons in particular yielded several important sightings of North Atlantic right whales.

Project Videos

Project Information

Timeline

2020-ongoing

Location

VACAPES Mid-Atlantic shelf

Methods

Visual surveys, focal follow observation, morphometrics, photo ID, biopsy sampling, satellite tagging

Conceptual Framework

    Performing Organizations

    Principal Investigators

    Dan Engelhaupt
    Jessica Aschettino
    HDR, Inc.

    Sponsor(s) & Funding

      Total - $3.3M, FY26 - $297k

      Point of Contacts

      Program/Project Manager 
      Joel T. Bell
      NAVFAC Atlantic
      Environmental Conservation, Marine Resources Section

      Deputy Program Manager
      Jackie Bort
      NAVFAC Atlantic
      Environmental Conservation, Marine Resources Section

      Data, Reports, & Publications

      Data

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      Observation and tagging data

      Technical Reports

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      Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Aerial Survey Effort 2024/25 Annual Progress Report. Ozog, J., and D. Engelhaupt.. 2026.
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      Both the Mid-Atlantic Nearshore and Mid-Shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring Project and Offshore Cetacean Study aim to provide baseline occurrence and ecological information to the U.S. Navy regarding how marine mammals use the VACAPES OPAREA. These projects aim to answer questions regarding the baseline ecology, behavior, movement patterns, and site fidelity of marine mammals that may be exposed to U.S. Navy training and testing exercises. HDR Inc. researchers use a variety of vessel-based methodologies, including photo-identification (photo-ID), biopsy sampling, drones, satellite-linked telemetry tags, and digital archival tags (Digital Acoustic Recording Tags [DTAGs] and Customized Animal Tracking Solution [CATS] tags). DoN | Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Aerial Survey Effort: 2024/25 Annual Progress Report April 2026 | 2 To better assist the vessel team with these efforts and in locating target species, non-systematic aerial surveys were implemented beginning in March 2021 (Aschettino et al. 2023). Aerial survey efforts increased during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, with 8 (Aschettino et al. 2024b) and 13 (Ozog and Engelhaupt 2025) surveys flown, respectively. While surveys were primarily associated with locating NARWs, some aerial surveys were also flown in tandem with Offshore Cetacean Study field work. This report details the coverage and sightings from aerial surveys flown during the 2024/25 field season in coordination with vessel field work for both projects. See the individual project technical reports for more details on each (Aschettino et al. 2026, Engelhaupt et al. 2026).

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      Mid-Atlantic Baleen Whale Monitoring, Virgina Beach, Virginia 2024/25 Annual Progress Report. Aschettino, J., D. Engelhaupt, A. Engelhaupt, J. Ozog, and J. Bort Thornton. 2026.
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      A total of 22 nearshore and mid-shelf vessel surveys were completed during the 2024/25 field season. In total, 60 baleen whale sightings, including 40 sightings of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) totaling 59 individuals, 10 sightings of North Atlantic right whales (NARWs; Eubalaena glacialis) totaling 22 individuals, 7 sightings of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) totaling 14 individuals, and 3 sightings of individual minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), occurred during the 2024/25 field season. A total of 24 aerial surveys were flown during the 2024/25 field season in association with this effort and the Offshore Cetacean Study (OCS) (A. Engelhaupt et al. 2026); see Ozog and Engelhaupt 2026 for additional details regarding the aerial surveys. Baleen whale sightings from the aerial surveys included humpback (n=45), NARWs (n=8), fin (n=11), and minke (n=3) whales (Ozog and Engelhaupt 2026). During the OCS surveys, baleen whale sightings included fin whales (n=12), humpback whales (n=7), a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus; n=1), a minke whale (n=1), and an NARW (n=1) (A. Engelhaupt et al. 2026). Across this project and the OCS effort, satellite-linked telemetry tags were deployed on one humpback whale, one fin whale, and one NARW. Customized Animal Tracking Solution tags were deployed on two NARWs and two humpback whales. One biopsy sample was collected from the satellite-tagged humpback whale.

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      Mid-Atlantic Baleen Whale Photo Identification Efforts 2023/24. Aschettino et al. 2025.
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      During HDR Inc.’s 2023/24 field season, baleen whale sightings included humpback whales, NARWs, fin whales, minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis). This report will focus on the photo-ID results from all baleen whale sightings, photogrammetry results from the drone, and status of the MAHWC and Happywhale matching. See Aschettino et al. (2025) and Engelhaupt et al. (2025) for further information and details from the vessel survey and tagging efforts, and Ozog and Engelhaupt (2025) for details from the supporting aerial surveys.

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      Mid-Atlantic Baleen Whale Monitoring: 2023-24 Annual Progress Report. Aschettino et al. 2025.
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      A total of 23 nearshore and mid-shelf vessel surveys were completed during the 2023/24 field season. In total, 43 baleen whale sightings, including 33 sightings of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) composed of 43 individuals, 6 sightings of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) composed of 9 individuals (1 deceased), 3 sightings of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) composed of 3 individuals, and 1 sighting of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) composed of 1 individual occurred during the 2023/24 field season.

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      Humpback Whale Photo ID: 2022-23 Annual Progress Report. Aschettino et al. 2024.
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      During HDR Inc.’s 2022/23 field season, baleen whale sightings included humpback whales, North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). This report will focus on results from the humpback whale sightings only

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      Mid-Atlantic Nearshore and Mid-Shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring, Virginia Beach, Virginia: 2022/23 Annual Progress Report. Aschettino, J., D. Engelhaupt, and A. Engelhaupt. 2024.
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      Since January 2015, HDR Inc. has been monitoring humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to assess their occurrence, habitat use, and behavior within and near United States (U.S.) Navy training and testing areas off Virginia via the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring Project.

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      Mid-Atlantic Nearshore and Mid-Shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring, Virginia Beach, Virginia: 2021/22 Annual Progress Report. Aschettino, J.M., D. Engelhaupt, and A. Engelhaupt. 2023.
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      Since January 2015, HDR Inc. has been monitoring humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to assess their occurrence, habitat use, and behavior within and near United States (U.S.) Navy training and testing areas off Virginia via the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring Project.

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      Publications

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      First descriptions of common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) movements off the Eastern Coast of the United States using satellite telemetry. Trabue, S.G., W. Cioffi , J. Aschettino, D. Engelhaupt, A. Engelhaupt, B.L. Southall, D.L. Webster, Z.T. Swaim, D.P. Nowacek, and H.C. Rosenbaum. 2026. Animal Biotelemetry
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      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.

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      Baleen Whale Occurrence in the Waters Off Virginia and North Carolina, U.S.A. From 2001 to 2019. Mallette, S. D., McLellan, W. A., Pabst, D. A., Burt, M. L., McAlarney, R. J., Lockhart, G. G., Cummings, E. W., Bell, J. T., Ogburn, M. B., Hamilton, P. K., Read, A. J., Brownell, R. L., Keenan, T. F., Thomas, L., Fisher, P. G., Thornton, J. B., Cotter, M. P., Swingle, W. M., & Barco, S. G.. 2026. Marine Mammal Science
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      Eighteen years of visual survey and strandings data were used to describe baleen whale occurrence along the continental shelf of Virginia and North Carolina, U.S.A. This region experiences heavy anthropogenic use, which poses risks for mortality and injury to baleen whales. Between 2001 and 2019, six species of baleen whales were recorded, and whales occurred year-round. The total number of (on-and off-effort) sightings and strandings amounted to 838 whales, including humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae, n = 503), fin (Balaenoptera physalus, n = 197), North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis, NARW, n = 76), common minke (B. acutorostrata, n = 51), sei (B. borealis, n = 10), and blue (B. musculus, n = 1) whales. Spatial modeling and abundance estimates indicated whale density and distribution changed seasonally. The highest densities of all whales combined occurred in winter and spring. Across seasons, average densities were highest in the northern portion of the study area. Ninety percent of NARW sightings were outside the designated Seasonal Management Areas in place for their protection. The stranding record offered a complementary view of species richness and seasonality. This study provides a baseline of baleen whale occurrence in an area experiencing increasing anthropogenic pressures (e.g., ship traffic and offshore wind-energy development).

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      Satellite telemetry reveals spatial overlap between vessel high-traffic areas and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeanglia) near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Aschettino, J.M., Engelhaupt D.T., Engelhaupt A.G., DiMatteo A., Pusser T., Richlen M.F., Bell J.T.. 2025. Frontiers in Marine Science
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      From December 2015 to February 2017, 35 satellite tags were deployed on humpback whales to gain a better understanding on the occurrence, movements, site-fidelity, and overall behavior of this species within this high-traffic region.

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      Presentations

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      Associated Projects & Blog Posts

      Projects

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      Blog Posts

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      Happy Whale Humpback Happenings
      Posted June 22, 2026
      First drone tag drop!
      Posted February 19, 2026
      2024-2025 Large Whale Season Summary
      Posted March 24, 2025
      It’s Whale Season in the Mid-Atlantic!
      Posted November 20, 2023
      Humpbacks - New visitors and familiar friends in the Mid-Atlantic
      Posted November 20, 2023
      Coming full circle – right whale mom returns with calf
      Posted March 15, 2023
      Right Whale Party in the Mid-Atlantic
      Posted February 4, 2023
      An Urban Whale
      Posted February 3, 2023
      Right whales are on the move!
      Posted November 23, 2022
      NARW tagged off VA Beach!
      Posted March 2, 2022
      Blue whale tagged off the coast of Virginia
      Posted April 26, 2021
      Tracking an endangered North Atlantic right whale
      Posted March 15, 2021
      Drone footage of a blue whale off the coast of Virginia!
      Posted March 14, 2021
      Drone footage of humpback whale bubble-net feeding off the coast of Virginia
      Posted February 18, 2021
      Fantastic video of an encounter with North Atlantic right whales off the coast of Virginia Beach
      Posted January 27, 2021
      New acoustic monitoring buoy helps researchers study and protect North Atlantic Right Whales
      Posted January 19, 2021
      Entangled humpback whale
      Posted January 8, 2021
      Fin and blue whale feeding aggregation observed in Norfolk Canyon study area
      Posted March 26, 2019
      One whale tagged twice.
      Posted March 8, 2019
      Blue whales and sei whales and right whales - OH MY!!!
      Posted April 18, 2018
      Repeat tagging customers to humpback monitoring project
      Posted January 30, 2018
      Tagging Atlantic Humpbacks
      Posted January 8, 2016
      Humpbacks Have Arrived!
      Posted December 30, 2014