Monitoring Beaked Whale Responses to Sonar Tests at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC)
Abstract
The objective of this study is to monitor beaked whales and other odontocete cetaceans at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) using photo-identification methods to assess possible population-level effects of frequent exposure to sonar. The monitoring was performed from April to May 2011 at the Weapons Range of AUTEC. Using an array of bottom-mounted hydrophones, beaked whales and other odontocetes can be monitored and localized in real time by passive acoustic detection of their echolocation clicks. Acoustic technicians from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center relay real-time cetacean localizations using the marine mammal monitoring system at AUTEC and direct observers on a 6.8 m rigid-hulled inflatable (RHIB) to the vocalizing whales, increasing the opportunities for locating animals and data collection. Although no beaked whales were encountered in this vessel survey, there were 10 other cetacean sightings during this time period, including 3 sperm and 2 short-finned pilot whale sightings. During the latter two sightings, 8 and 7 biopsies were collected, respectively. A total of 14.7 hours were spent with animals, during which time 1,236 photographs were taken. Preliminary matching has been completed for the sperm whale identification photographs. We found that, with the exception of one possible match (Pm079), none of the animals matched our existing catalogue of more than 180 sperm whales from the northern Bahamas, and are thus considered "new" animals in the area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA553178
Entities
People
- Charlotte Dunn
- David Moretti
- Diane Claridge