Scientists at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences are utilizing NASA satellite data in 2025 to monitor Calanus finmarchicus, the primary food source of the endangered North Atlantic right whale. This innovative technique identifies zooplankton from space, aiming to predict whale movement and enhance conservation efforts.
Calanus finmarchicus contains a reddish pigment that alters the spectrum of sunlight absorbed by the ocean when they gather in large numbers. Satellites can detect this color shift. Researchers aim to use this data to understand how changes in the Gulf of Maine, such as rapid warming, have affected the zooplankton's location and, consequently, the whales' feeding patterns. By predicting where these mammals are likely to feed, researchers and marine resource managers hope to reduce deadly vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglements.
NASA's PACE satellite, launched in 2024, can detect 280 wavelengths of light, compared to the 10 detected by the Aqua satellite. This enhanced capability vastly improves the ability to differentiate Calanus finmarchicus from other zooplankton species, refining predictive models for right whale movements and supporting targeted conservation strategies in 2025.