Behavioral Responses of Naive Cuvier's Beaked Whales in the Ligurian Sea to Playback of Anthropogenic and Natural Sounds
Abstract
The principle goal of this project was to study responses of Cuvier s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) to MFA sonar signals. Secondary goals included conducting a killer whale playback that has not been preceded by a sonar playback (as in Tyack et al. 2011) and collecting more baseline data on Ziphius. This investigation set out to safely test responses of Ziphius to sonar signals and to determine the exposure level required to elicit a response in a site where strandings have been associated with sonar exercises and where the whales seldom hear sonar. The University of St Andrews was the prime grantee for this project. The PI, Peter Tyack, was ultimately responsible for the project. Leigh Hickmott, also supported through the University of St Andrews, acted as the cruise science lead when the PI could not be on board. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) was subcontracted to provide DTAGs and associated supplies, to organize the logistics of the cruise including vessel, room and board on land, and to hire expert beaked whale observers. The Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali (CIBRA) supplied the towed hydrophone arrays, amplifiers, and computers required for passive acoustic monitoring of Ziphius clicks, along with skilled passive acoustic monitoring personnel. Massimiliano Rosso (CIMA Research Foundation) provided detailed life history data for the Ligurian Ziphius, collated real-time sightings data from ferry surveys and arranged for the CIMA vessel Leon Pancaldo to aid our search for Ziphius during the cruise.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA602636
Entities
People
- Peter L. Tyack
Organizations
- University of St Andrews