2023 Collaborative Beaked Whale Cruise off Baja California, Mexico

Abstract

In September 2023, a third multi-week expedition was conducted off the coast of Baja California, Mexico to relocate the unknown species of beaked whales encountered in 2020 as well as look for the BW43 beaked whale. Daily non-systematic searches were carried out close to shore off Bahia San Quintin. Only two beaked whale sightings occurred, one of possible Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and one of Baird's beaked whales (Berardius bairdi). Both species were also detected acoustically, in addition to one detection of BW43 echolocation pulses. In addition to the beaked whales, many other species were also encountered, including short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni), and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2024
Accession Number
AD1229410

Entities

People

  • E. Elizabeth Henderson
  • Gustavo C. Hinojosa
  • Jasivi A. Daz
  • Jay Barlow
  • Robert Pitman
  • Rodrigo H. Patio
  • Sergio M. Aguilar

Organizations

  • National Commission of Protected Natural Areas
  • Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
  • Oregon State University

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Marine Mammal Biology