First direct measurements of behavioural responses by Cuvier's beaked whales to mid-frequency active sonar
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Author
DeRuiter, Stacy L.
Southall, Brandon L.
Calambokidis, John
Zimmer, Walter M. X.
Sadykova, Dinara
Falcone, Erin A.
Friedlaender, Ari S.
Joseph, John E.
Moretti, David
Schorr, Gregory S.
Thomas, Len
Tyack, Peter L.
Date
2013Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Most marine mammal strandings coincident with naval sonar exercises have
involved Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). We recorded animal
movement and acoustic data on two tagged Ziphius and obtained the first
direct measurements of behavioural responses of this species to mid-frequency
active (MFA) sonar signals. Each recording included a 30-min playback (one
1.6-s simulated MFA sonar signal repeated every 25 s); one whale was also
incidentally exposed to MFA sonar from distant naval exercises. Whales
responded strongly to playbacks at low received levels (RLs; 89–127 dB
re 1 mPa): after ceasing normal fluking and echolocation, they swam rapidly,
silently away, extending both dive duration and subsequent non-foraging interval.
Distant sonar exercises (78–106 dB re 1 mPa) did not elicit such responses,
suggesting that context may moderate reactions. The observed responses to
playback occurred at RLs well below current regulatory thresholds; equivalent
responses to operational sonars could elevate stranding risk and reduce
foraging efficiency.
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0223
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
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