Novel Surface Feeding Tactics of Minke Whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence National Marine Park

Surface feeding behaviours of Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the mouth and fjord of the Saguenay River, Québec, were documented between June and October 2003. Several novel behaviours associated with gathering prey into dense, near-surface aggregations prior to a feeding strike were observed. To our knowledge, these behaviours have not been described in detail and may be exclusive to this area or to these individuals. A small number of known Minke Whales show strong site fidelity to the Saguenay region, providing an ideal opportunity for the study of foraging behaviour at the individual level.