Video camera to monitor endangered right whales

Researchers are using a helium-filled balloon and remote-controlled video camera to film endangered right whales on the Bay of Fundy.

Heavy boating traffic in the area can harm the right whales, according to Lei Harris, a biologist with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

"Some possible effects they could have is they could interrupt feeding behaviour, social behaviour, cause stress which may not directly harm the whale but could have long-term effects," said Harris, who heads up the study.

A video camera suspended in the air is attached to a boat, where scientists control the camera. They plan to videotape the whales with and without vessels nearby and compare their behaviour.

Harris's research partner, Jim Hain, said they use individual markings to identify the whales.

"It's like a fingerprint," said Hain. "If you have a good photograph of the whale, you can match it to the catalogue and you can say that was whale 20-23 and she's here with her fifth calf, and she's been here for 12 years and she's been seen in Florida and so on."

• FROM JUNE 30, 2003: Ships set to give right whales wider berth

Hain said their goal is to determine if there is a safe distance from which humans and whale-watchers can observe the marine mammals without causing them stress.

The pair will conduct their research on the water for four weeks. The study will take three years in total. They hope their results will be reflected in future legislation for commercial boating on the Bay of Fundy.