Genomics at the Museum

Saving the Right Whale

Dr. Steve Cumbaa and his colleagues are bringing underwater archaeology and genetic research together to help the Northern right whales.

Dr. Steve Cumbaa and colleagues, Dr. Brad White, Canada Research Chair in Conservation Genetics and Biodiversity at Trent University; and Dr. Moira Brown, from the Centre for Coastal Studies in Massachusetts, are using DNA samples from old whale bones and from living whales to try to understand the population dynamic of this endangered species.

For their studies, Dr. Cumbaa and his colleagues sampled more then 50 archaeological whale bones and 260 living individuals. Their studies showed that while 5 matrilines are present in living right whales, more were present in the 16th century.

By comparing the mitochondrial DNA of the whales killed by Basque whalers in the 16th century to that of the whales swimming in the Atlantic today, they hope to determine: a) the historic levels of genetic variation within the current population; b) the mitochondrial sequence profiles of the populations of whales hunted by the Basques. This work will help determine the level of impact that Basque and subsequent whaling had on Right whale stocks.

Red Bay Dig

Underwater archaeological digs took place at Red Bay Labrador between 1978 and 1985 under the direction of Robert Grenier of Parks Canada. Red Bay was the centre of the Basque whaling industry in the 16th century. Wreckage of a Basque galleon dating back to 1565 was found in the bay with hundreds of oil whale barrels in its hold. Remains of 2 other galleons and several small boats were also found, along with hundreds of whale bones. It is estimated that as many as 20 000 bowhead and right whales were killed by the Basques in Labrador during the 16th century.

Close-up of whale bone sampling.

Steve Cumbaa and colleague reconstructing a whale flipper.	Moira Brown on DNA sampling expedition.	A diver at work.

	Right whale mother and calf.

Right whales are slow moving animals that feed close to the surface. For the Basque whalers, they were the "right" whale to kill because they could easily be harpooned, floated after they were killed and produced large amounts of oil. There are fewer than 350 right whales in the North Atlantic today. They are the world's most endangered large whales. They can weigh up to 60 metric tons and have a life span of 70 years.