Off-range beaked whale studies (ORBS): A pilot study of how whale-source distance influences received level behavioral response thresholds of Hyperoodon ampullatus near Jan Mayen, Norway
Abstract
The objectives of this proposed pilot study are: to field test and use a new DTAG housing design that will carry location sensors in addition to a DTAG3 sensor unit; to carry out a controlled exposure experiment field trial in June 2016 off Jan Mayen, Norway which is a location far from ongoing sonar activities; a secondary fieldwork objective not to interfere with sonar treatments will be the collection of baseline data with playbacks of killer whale and other control sounds; and analysis of resulting data to complete a power analysis specifying data requirements for carrying out a conclusive study of how source-whale distance influences the received level thresholds at which this beaked whale species behaviorally responds to sonar. The beaked whale target species, northern bottlenose whale, have been found in large numbers off Jan Mayen in recent years. If northern bottlenose whales are not available than the project will pursue back up species - mink and killer whales which are also sensitive to sonar.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141613059
Entities
People
- Patrick Miller
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of St Andrews