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CetaceansJennifer Greene, Sally Yozell, and Melissa ClarkIntroductionCetaceans are the sub-group ofmarine mammals that includeswhales, dolphins, and porpoises.Because of their extensivemigrations, they have very largegeographic ranges often encompassinghundreds of thousandsof miles in an individual’s lifetime.One consequence of theselarge geographic ranges isfrequent opportunity to interactwith humans. These interactions,including exposure to shippingtraffic, fishing gear, pollution,underwater noise, and theeffects of climate change onthem and their food sources,can pose serious threats to marine mammal populations. Species chosen for inclusion in this assessment represent thediversity of cetaceans in the Northwest Atlantic. Some of the target whales are considered threatened or endangered,and the porpoise and dolphin species selected represent a range of species that inhabit the region.Technical Team MembersKevin Chu, Ph.D., National Marine Fisheries Service (serving in a personal capacity)Melissa Clark, The Nature Conservancy, Eastern DivisionLindsey Feldman, Duke UniversityJennifer Greene, The Nature Conservancy, Eastern DivisionLeila Hatch, Ph.D., Stellwagen Bank National Marine SanctuaryRobert Kenney, Ph.D., University of Rhode IslandScott Kraus, Ph. D., New England AquariumWilliam McLellan, University of North Carolina, WilmingtonJooke Robbins, Ph.D., Provincetown Center for Coastal StudiesKevin Ruddock, The Nature Conservancy, Rhode IslandCaroly Shumway, Ph.D., Boston University, Visiting ProfessorMark Swingle, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science CenterDavid Wiley, Ph.D., Stellwagen Bank National Marine SanctuarySally Yozell, The Nature Conservancy, Eastern DivisionCHAPTER10© Henry Lynch/NOAANorthwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 10-