Stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) from the baleen of North Atlantic minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

This data set contains stable isotope values (δ15N and δ13C) from the baleen of fifteen North Atlantic minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). The whales were taken under scientific permit from the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries, as part of the Norwegian Scientific Whaling Program (1988-1994), in various locations in Lofoten/Vesterålen (L/V) (67°30”-69°00”N; 12°00”-15°30”°E) and in Svalbard (S) (76°00”-79°30”N; 09°00”-18°00”E), in July and August of 1992. The longest baleen plate from each whale was pre-treated and sampled at one centimeter increments along the labial edge of the plate for the full length of the plate, as per methods used for Pacific minke whales (Mitani et al. 2006). Analysis of these stable isotope values was used to understand feeding and movement patterns of minke whales caught along the coast of Northern Norway and Svalbard.