Fine-scale habitat selection of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Northwest Iberian Peninsula waters

The escalating impact of human activities on marine ecosystems necessitates a thorough understanding of how marine predators, such as cetaceans, respond to environmental changes. Our investigation focused on minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) distribution in a region profoundly affected by human activities and marked by episodes of coastal upwelling in the north-west Iberian Peninsula. Data collection spanned from April 2016 to October 2022, involving dedicated daily research boat surveys along the south coast of Galicia (Spain). We used generalized additive models and 11 environmental variables to examine the determinants shaping the small-scale distribution of minke whales in these waters. Our findings indicated that minke whale distribution is driven by three non-persistent environmental variables: sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, and chlorophyll-a concentration. The presence of minke whales is likely intricately linked to dynamic interactions among these factors and prey availability, demonstrating fine-scale habitat selection by the species. This insight contributes valuable information to the limited understanding of minke whale ecology in the North-East Atlantic. The study's outcomes offer essential support for managers in devising effective management and conservation strategies, aiming to alleviate the detrimental impacts of human activities on minke whale distribution.