The study does not confirm whether populations of these whale species are increasing overall or whether the animals have simply relocated from other regions.
However, some experts who spoke to the BBC raised concerns that the findings may indicate an influx of whales from west Greenland. This is a sensitive issue in Greenland, where whale hunting remains an important activity.
Scientists involved in the research said the findings suggest that these “opportunistic” baleen whales are adapting to changing Arctic conditions and may even be benefiting from them.
However, other Arctic marine species are facing a far more challenging future, explains Professor Heide Jorgensen.
Narwhals and beluga whales, for example, share parts of their habitat with larger whale species and may also be driven away or chased by them.
“For some species, climate change is not necessarily a problem because it creates new opportunities,” said Professor Heide Jorgensen. “But other species are losing their habitat.”
The research is published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, external.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk