Monitoring Beaked Whale Movements during Submarine Commanders Course Using Satellite Telemetry Tags
Abstract
This project is focused on the effects of mid-frequency active sonar and, in particular, the effects of the 53C sonar used by the U.S. Navy on deep-diving odontocetes. In response to this concern, satellite telemetry is being used to do the following: (1) monitor the movements of beaked whales and other odontocete cetacean species on the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range before, during, and after sonar exercises; and (2) to study the movement patterns of odontocetes more widely in the canyons of the northern Bahamas to obtain baseline data on the movement patterns of species that may be encountered on the AUTEC range. The primary goal of the project is to measure the potential effects of military operations using mid-frequency active sonar on the movements of beaked whales. The specific objectives are as follows: (1) to deploy satellite telemetry tags before the May 2009 Submarine Commanders Course (SCC) to track the movements of beaked whales before, during, and after the SCC and compare movement patterns with and without the presence of MFA tactical sonars; (2) to photo-identify individuals within each beaked whale group to match to an existing catalogue and assess their age and sex classes to determine if movement differs by individual, age, or sex class and to aid in resighting of tagged animals post-tagging (as a future separate effort); and (3) to obtain biopsy samples from beaked whales using remote sampling techniques to contribute towards a study of their population structuring, and to examine possible genetic covariates for movement patterns. Secondary objectives are to deploy satellite tags, collect biopsy samples, and photo-identify non-beaked whale species, including sperm whales, pilot whales, false killer whales, and melon-headed whales.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA531233
Entities
People
- Diane Claridge
- John Durban