Assessing Performance and Effects of New Integrated Implantable Large Whale Satellite Tags
Abstract
When assessing the nature and degree of anthropogenic impacts on a population, a key question is "compared to what?" This is particularly difficult to evaluation when no data exist for the population of interest prior to the introduction of the activity. Such is the case with Cuvier s beaked whales that live in and near Southern California Anti-Submarine Warfare Range (SOAR), where they are frequently exposed to mid-frequence active (MFA) sonar during routine military training exercises - the likes of which have been associated with mass strandings of this species elsewhere in the world. While there is a growing body of behavioral and demographic data on the SOAR population, there is little or no data from an ecologically-similar population of this species that is not regularly exposed to MFA sonar to which these data can be compared. Such an approach is proving highly valuable for evaluating impacts to Blainville s beaked whales at a training range in the Bahamas. Here, we propose a pilot effort to investigate a comparative study site for Cuvier s beaked whales at Guadalupe Island. Recent efforts by collaborators have demonstrated the presence of this species within close proximity to the island during multiple seasons, with some individuals spotted numerous times over an 8-year period, suggesting site-fidelity. We propose to conduct a base year effort, followed by two option years, with each year consisting of 28 days in teh field to locate, photo-identify and satellite tag Cuvier s beaked whales. Diving behavior and photo-identifications will be compared to animals from SOAR to assess possible differences between disturbed and undisturbed populations, a key input for population consequences of disturbance models. If sample sizes are sufficient, population-level demographics between the two areas may also be compared.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 04, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812749
Entities
People
- Alexandre Zerbini
Organizations
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy