Assessing Exposure and Response of Three Species of Odontocetes to Mid-Frequency Active Sonar During Submarine Commanders Courses at the Pacific Missile Range Facility
Abstract
The United States Navys marine species monitoring program addresses four general topics surrounding the impact of mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) on protected species: occurrence, exposure, response, and consequences. Occurrence of odontocete cetaceans on and around the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) has been studied for several years using a combination of satellite tags and photo-identification, demonstrating the existence of resident populations of several species of odontocetes and resulting in considerable information on diving behavior and movement patterns of these species. In an effort to measure and evaluate both exposures and responses to MFAS during actual military training exercises, we used data from 20 satellite tags deployed on odontocetes prior to three Submarine Commanders Courses (SCC) held on PMRF between August 2013 and February 2015. MFAS use during each SCC occurred under normal operating conditions north of the Kaulakahi Channel and spanned a three-day period. Sonar transmissions were not controlled according to the location of tagged individuals, but this orientation provided a spatial-temporal opportunity for individuals to avoid MFAS exposure by moving to the opposite sides of either Kauai or Niihau. Eleven of the 20 tags had either stopped transmitting prior to the start of the SCC or the tagged individuals were far from MFAS and thus exposure levels could not be estimated. For the other nine individuals, we combined locations obtained from satellite tags with Navy-provided data on MFAS use and ship tracks to assess MFAS exposure and potential responses. Subjects included: false killer whales, Pseudorca crassidens (n=1), short-finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrorhynchus (n=5), and rough-toothed dolphins, Steno bredanensis (n=3).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1145581
Entities
People
- Brandon L. Southall
- Daniel L. Webster
- Roanne Manzano-roth
- Robin W Baird
- Stephen W. Martin
Organizations
- Cascadia Research
- HDR, Inc.
- National Marine Mammal Foundation
- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command