CUVIER'S BEAKED WHALE (Ziphius cavirostris): Western North Atlantic Stock

STOCK DEFINITION AND GEOGRAPHIC RANGE The distribution of Cuvier's beaked whales is poorly known, and is based mainly on stranding records (Leatherwood et al. 1976). Strandings have been reported from Nova Scotia along the eastern U.S. coast south to Florida, around the Gulf of Mexico, and within the Caribbean (Leatherwood et al. 1976; CETAP 1982; Heyning 1989; Houston 1990). Stock structure in the western North Atlantic is unknown. Cuvier's beaked whale sightings have occurred principally along the continental shelf edge in the midAtlantic region off the northeast U.S. coast (CETAP 1982; Waring et al. 1992; NMFS unpubl. data). Most sightings were in late spring or summer. Based on sighting data, this species is a rare inhabitant of waters off the northeast U.S. coast (CETAP 1982).