Pacific Projects

Hawaiian Islands

• University of Hawai'i

Increase capacity and develop training for marine mammal monitoring in Hawaii utilizing non-invasive triaxial accelerometry biologging tags to quantify fine-scale behavioral and energetic responses of protected species to potential anthropogenic disturbance

Determine what behaviors can most effectively be assessed for potential response to Navy training and testing activities

Application of analytic methods to evaluate exposure and/or behavioral response of marine mammals to Navy training and testing activities

Southeast Alaska; Behm Canal and Southern Clarence Strait

• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• University of Washington
• NOAA Fisheries Service

Conduct visual line-transect surveys and passive acoustic monitoring for cetaceans, and other marine mammals, to determine species occurrence, and to estimate density within Navy’s testing range. Acoustic monitoring devices will be deployed during the vessel based survey, and long-term passive acoustic hydrophones will be monitored for year-round detection of rare and/or cryptic cetacean species.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Washington (Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay)

• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

With acoustic telemetry, determine 1) the location of green sturgeon detections within Washington, 2) the season for specific habitat use (e.g., estuaries; coastal waters), 3) the frequency an animal moves between coastal and estuarine waters, and 4) the range of each tagged animal.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Northwest Training Range Complex, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Range Complex, Puget Sound Washington

• HDR
• Smultea Environmental Sciences

1) Conduct aerial surveys during four seasonal periods within the inland Puget Sound Survey Area to assess potential differences in seasonal distribution, numbers, and behavioral state patterns of marine mammals; 2) Collect data to estimate densities of marine mammals in the inland Puget Sound waters for species with sufficient sightings; 3) Estimate abundance for each marine mammal species seen an adequate number of times; 4) Document the distribution and habitat use of each species observed; 5) Document and describe behaviors seen without performing focal follows.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the baseline behavioral patterns (foraging, diving, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Atlantic and Pacific (Hawaii)

• Cascadia Research Collective
• National Marine Mammal Foundation
• Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
• Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
• Duke University

Utilize newly developed statistical methods from the Atlantic BRS project and apply them to all the satellite-tagged pilot whales from both the Atlantic and Pacific studies.

Evaluate behavioral responses of marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities

• CREEM
• HDR
• Living Marine Resources
• Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R)
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
• Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)
• NAVFAC
• NAVSEA
• NOAA Fisheries Service
• ONR
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• SMRU
• U.S. Fleet Forces Command
• U.S. Marine Mammal Commission
• Duke University
• NAVFAC Atlantic
• Southall Environmental Associates

Response

Determine what behaviors can most effectively be assessed for potential response to Navy training and testing activities.

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals.

Application of analytic methods to evaluate exposure and/or behavioral response of marine mammals to Navy training and testing activities.

Evaluate acoustic exposure levels associated with behavioral responses of marine mammals to support development and refinement of acoustic risk functions.

Evaluate behavioral responses of marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities to support PCoD development and application.

Southern California

• Oregon State University

Determine the movement patterns, occurrence, and residence times of blue whales and fin whales within U.S. Navy training and testing areas as well as Biologically Important Areas along the U.S. West Coast

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas
Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur
Establish the baseline behavioral patterns (foraging, diving, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Washington and Alaska

• NOAA Fisheries Service

Use acoustic tagging technology to provide critical information on spatial and temporal distribution of salmonids to inform salmon management, U.S. Navy activity, and Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) conservation. The study seeks to 1) determine the occurrence and timing of salmonids within the Navy training ranges, 2) describe the influence of environmental covariates on salmonid occurrence; and, 3) describe the occurrence of salmonids in relation to SRKW distribution.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur.

Hawaii

• U.S. Pacific Fleet

Test whether a K9 can be trained to detect and 'direct' boat drivers via changes in behavior to the scat of marine mammals in Hawaii

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Farallon de Medinilla (FDM)

• Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
• SPAWAR

Assess presence and status of ESA-listed corals at FDM

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

AFTT and HSTT study areas

• HDR
• University of St. Andrews

Obtain data to characterize the potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed marine species to Navy training and testing activities, evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures 

Hawaii

• Cascadia Research Collective
• HDR
• Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)
• Southall Environmental Associates

Further our understanding of the Monitoring Questions: 1) What is the occurrence and estimated received levels of MFAS on 'blackfish', humpback, minke, sperm and Blainville's beaked whales within the PMRF instrumented range? and 2) What, if any, are the short term behavioral responses of 'blackfish,' humpback, minke, sperm and Blainville's beaked whales when exposed to MFAS/explosions at different levels/conditions at PMRF?

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are exposed to U.S. Navy training and testing activities

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Determine what behaviors can most effectively be assessed for potential response to Navy training and testing activities

Evaluate behavioral responses of marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities to support PCoD development and application

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance for populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species that are regularly exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Leverage existing data with newly developed analysis tools and techniques

Southern California

• Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)
• Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research

Improve knowledge of baseline population demographics, vital rates, and movement patterns of Cuvier’s beaked whales and fin whales. Examine what, if any, short term behavioral and/or vocal responses occur when exposed to sonar or explosions at different levels and conditions. Determine if exposure to sonar or explosives impact the long term fitness and survival of individuals or the population, species, or stock

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Determine what behaviors can most effectively be assessed for potential response to Navy training and testing activities

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Evaluate behavioral responses of marine mammals exposed to Navy training and testing activities to support PCoD development and application

Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance for populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species that are regularly exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Leverage existing data with newly developed analysis tools and techniques

Baja, Mexico, US West Coast

• The Marine Mammal Center

Determine the at-sea distribution of endangered Guadalupe fur seals and whether they travel through or utilize the offshore waters of the Southern California Range Complex and Northwest Training and Testing area

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the baseline behavioral patterns (foraging, diving, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Guam

• HDR

Shore-based marine mammal surveys

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Gulf of Alaska TMAA and WMA

• Alaska Fisheries Science Center
• University of Washington

Conduct systematic line transect survey for marine mammals for density estimates; conduct survey to determine ecotype identity of killer whales; analyze existing and newly collected data for seasonal occurrence, abundance, and density of cetacean

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges,  and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Hawaii

• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• N/A

Investigate potential impacts of naval activities on Hawaiian monk seals

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Pagan and Maug

• Oceanwide Science Institute

Determine if humpback whales were present in archival acoustic recordings from 2009-2010 nearshore to Pagan and Maug

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

PMRF, Hawaii

• Naval Information Warfare Center (Pacific)
• WARP

Improve understanding of the long term trends in occurrence of marine mammals (e.g., minke, humpback, fin, Bryde's, Blainville's) on the PMRF range. Examine what, if any, acoustic and physical behavioral responses occur to Navy activities.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Application of analytic methods to evaluate exposure and/or behavioral response of marine mammals to Navy training and testing activities

Evaluate acoustic exposure levels associated with behavioral responses of marine mammals to support development and refinement of acoustic risk functions

Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance for populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species that are regularly exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Leverage existing data with newly developed analysis tools and techniques

Mariana Island Chain offshore

• HDR
• NAVFAC

Determine what species of marine mammals and sea turtles are present and estimate abundance.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Hawaii, Southern California

• Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)

Improve understanding of the long term trends in occurrence of marine mammals on the PMRF and SOAR ranges.

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Application of analytic methods to evaluate exposure and/or behavioral response of marine mammals to Navy training and testing activities

Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance for populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species that are regularly exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Southern California

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals are present in Southern California and estimate the abundance and density across seasons

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Hood Canal, WA

• Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)
• Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research

This 12‑month integrated pilot project combines three complementary components: (A) shore‑based theodolite monitoring of harbor porpoises, (B) high‑bandwidth passive acoustic monitoring and soundscape characterization, and (C) suction‑cup multi‑sensor tag deployments on Bigg’s (transient) killer whales. Together, these data streams will quantify occurrence, movement, diving, and behavioral context for these two key species in relation to the local soundscape—including operational signals near the Dabob Bay Range Complex (DBRC) and the Bangor Trident Base. Results can provide an empirical foundation and inform the study design of future cetacean behavioral response studies (BRS) in Hood Canal.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the baseline behavioral patterns(foraging, diving, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Determine what behaviors can most effectively be assessed for potential response to Navy training and testing activities

Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska

• Oregon State University

Determine the occurrence, movement patterns, and residency patterns of multiple humpback whale Distinct Population Segments within Pacific Ocean Navy Range Complexes

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur.

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities.

North Pacific-wide

• N/A

Develop a North Pacific-wide species distribution model for cetaceans

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges,  and in specific training and testing areas

Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance for populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species that are regularly exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Washington

• NOAA Fisheries Service

Compile green sturgeon tag and receiver data and analyze historical data for occurrence, distribution, and seasonality in Puget Sound and the Straits of Juan de Fuca

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Washington (Northwest Training Range Complex, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Range Complex)

• NOAA Fisheries Service
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1) Identify and classify Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) detections from acoustic recorders and satellite tag tracking; 2) Develop a model to estimate the seasonal and annual occurrence patterns of southern resident killer whales relative to offshore Navy training ranges. 3) Characterize occurrence of anthropogenic sounds in potential SRKW habitat. 4) Develop state space habitat model for SRKW prey, based on fall Chinook salmon tagged released from California to British Columbia between 1977 and 1990 to estimate seasonal distribution along the west coast.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur.

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities.

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur.

Hawaii, Guam, CNMI

• University of Hawai'i

Conduct comprehensive investigations of stranded marine mammals throughout the Pacific Islands with emphasis on the Hawaiian and Mariana Island chains. This includes conducting necropsies of stranded animals, collecting and archiving samples, conducting disease screening, genetic testing, and analysis of historical data. The objective is to examine stranding patterns and causes of death for marine mammals in the Pacific Islands.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Leverage existing data with newly developed analysis tools and techniques

Hawaiian and Mariana Islands archipelagos

• University of Hawai'i

Determine cause of death when cetaceans strand to ensure accurate public understanding of stranding cause, with focus on infectious diseases

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline behavioral patterns (foraging, diving, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Gulf of Alaska, Mariana Island archipelago, Hawaiian Islands archipelago, California-Oregon-Washington

• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the surveyed areas; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in offshore waters; Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Determine what populations of marine mammals are exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Guam

• Cornell University

Determine what species of marine mammals, specifically beaked whales, are present in the Marianas and examine their spatial and temporal patterns of acoustic behavior. Calculate acoustic abundance and density of beaked whales in surveyed area. Analyze sonar detections in area.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Hood Canal, Puget Sound, WA

• Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)

This project was jointly funded through NAVSEA and the NUWC Keyport NISE program to address the Navy’s need for multi-year data on harbor porpoise occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution patterns in Hood Canal using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM).

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas
Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur 

Gulf of Alaska

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Determine the spatial distribution and occurrence of beaked whales, other odontocetes, and baleen whales in offshore areas using bottom-mounted passive acoustic recorders and deep-diving autonomous gliders

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics, of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Southern California

• Oregon State University

Explore presence of marine mammals in less-surveyed, offshore areas

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Guam, CNMI

• HDR
• Oregon State University
• University of Washington

Identify acoustically distinct species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the Mariana Islands; develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, habitat use, and abundance

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the baseline vocalization behavior of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Saipan

• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Humpback whale nearshore distribution in nearshore Saipan waters

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Determine what populations of marine mammals are exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the baseline vocalization behavior of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Farallon de Medinilla (FDM)

• NAVFAC
• NOAA Fisheries Service
• HDR

The goal of the visual surveys is to collect individually-identifying information from humpback whales present near and around Farallon de Medinilla (FDM)

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the baseline behavioral patterns (foraging, diving, etc.) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Washington-Oregon-California

• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• Oregon State University

1) Determine the occurrence of bull trout within and near the boundaries of the NWTT; 2) Determine the spatiotemporal occurrence of killer whale and baleen whale in the NWTT; 3) Characterize the occurrence of endangered fish species within the NWTT

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges,  and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Naval Station Everett

• Alaska Fisheries Science Center
• Washington Department of Marine Fisheries Service

To determine the abundance and habitat use of California sea lions that haul out at Navy facilities and forage in testing and training areas

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur.

Guam, Tinian, Saipan

• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Develop a better understanding of sea turtle distribution and habitat use in the Mariana Islands, particularly in relation to locations used by the Navy for underwater detonation training

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and sea turtles are exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Evaluate trends in distribution and abundance of populations that are regularly exposed to sonar and underwater explosives

Guam and southern CNMI (Tinian, Saipan, Rota, Aguijan)

• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the Mariana Islands; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in nearshore waters during key seasons (summer and winter); Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Determine what populations of marine mammals are exposed to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Southern California

• HDR
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Determine the distribution and temporal patterns of beaked whale occurrence in the waters within and outside the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL). Use passive acoustic monitoring to determine what species are present in SOCAL and examine spatial and temporal patterns.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Establish the regional baseline vocalization behavior, including seasonality and acoustic characteristics) of marine mammals where Navy training and testing activities occur

Application of passive acoustic tools and techniques for detecting, classifying, locating, and tracking marine mammals

Gulf of Alaska and Pacific Northwest

• NOAA Fisheries Service
• University of Alaska Fairbanks

To use a combination of pop-up satellite technology and salmon genetics to provide critical information on Chinook salmon spatial and temporal distribution in the Gulf of Alaska and along the Washington coast to inform salmon management and U.S. Navy training activities. The study seeks to 1) determine the occurrence, timing, and specific run of Chinook salmon through genetics within the Navy training areas; 2) describe the influence of environmental covariates on Chinook salmon occurrence; and 3) improve the understanding of run-specific timing and geographical occurrence of Chinook salmon as the prey of Southern Resident killer whales in Washington.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas.

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur.

Puget Sound, WA

• Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research

Conduct marine mammal in-water vessel-based line transect surveys in the Puget Sound basin to: 1) Record data on all marine mammal species seen with the study area, with a focus on the killer whale (Orcinus orca) and the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). 2) Identify the seasonal occurrence and abundance/density of cetaceans within the study area. 3) Identify the effects of environmental variables on the distribution and abundance of species in the study area.

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Estimate the distribution, abundance, and density of marine mammals and ESA-listed species in Navy range complexes, testing ranges,  and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

PMRF, Hawaii

• Cascadia Research Collective

(1) define the spatial movement and habitat use patterns of species that are exposed to mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar (2) determine how these patterns influence exposure and potential responses

Determine what species and populations of marine mammals and ESA-listed species are present in Navy range complexes, testing ranges, and in specific training and testing areas

Establish the baseline habitat uses, seasonality, and movement patterns of marine mammals and ESA-listed species where Navy training and testing activities occur

Evaluate potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed species to Navy training and testing activities

Establish the baseline behavioral patterns(foraging, diving, etc.) of marine mammalswhere Navy training and testing activities occur

Evaluate acoustic exposure levels associated with behavioral responses of marine mammals to support development and refinement of acoustic risk functions