Linking Deep-Water Prey Fields with Odontocete Population Structure and Behavior
Abstract
We seek to integrate of direct measurements of the prey environment for beaked whales to provide a critical, and previously unavailable, mechanistic link for understanding beaked whale ecology in the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas. Active acoustic sampling integrated into a deep water AUV was combined with ship-based acoustic sampling to provide measures of potential beaked whale prey throughout the water column, ground-truthed with net tows. Beaked whale habitat use was quantified using a combination of synoptic visual observations from the ship and passive acoustics from a towed array on the ship, sensors placed on the deep water platform, and with the AUTEC range hydrophone array. The sampling design was informed historical patterns of habitat use from other studies in the same area. The research cruise was completed July 2-14, 2015.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1013959
Entities
People
- Brandon L. Southall
- Kelly Benoit-Bird
- Mark A. Moline
Organizations
- Oregon State University