Another CEE Trial – and Gervais’ beaked whales!
August 10, 2026
A second controlled exposure experiment trial with simulated Continuously Active Sonar (CAS) was conducted on August 1. In addition to the usual goose-beaked whales, we also had a sighting of less common Gervais' beaked whales.
First CEE Trial of 2026 – and False Killer Whales
July 23, 2026
The Atlantic BRS team had an extremely productive day on Friday, July 17th with tags deployed on both false killer whales and goose-beaked whales, as well as a successful controlled exposure experiment with simulated Continuous Active Sonar signals.
Controlled Exposure Experiment Trial with Simulated CAS Signals
October 1, 2025
On Friday, September 19th, the project team led by Duke University and Southall Environmental Associates conducted a Controlled Exposure Experiment (CEE) trial with goose-beaked whales Ziphius cavirostris in our study area off Cape Hatteras. They generated simulated Continuous Active Sonar (CAS) signals with a brand-new sound source built specifically for this purpose.
Atlantic BRS - successful CEE trial with the USS Donald Cook
July 22, 2025
The Atlantic BRS team just completed a successful controlled exposure experiment with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) involving eight satellite-tagged beaked whales off Cape Hatteras.
Atlantic BRS - field work update
July 16, 2025
You never know what you will see offshore, and this weekend was no exception.
Atlantic BRS 2025 - Old Friends & Baby Beaked Whales
June 26, 2025
Field work recently kicked off for the Atlantic BRS project field season and we're happy to say that things appear much more "normal" compared to 2024 when Ziphius were relatively scarce at the Hatteras study site.
Successful CEE Trial with the USS Thomas Hudner
July 24, 2024
In July 2024, the Atlantic Behavioral Response Study, led by Duke University, conducted a successful controlled exposure experiment (CEE) involving the USS Thomas Hudner and tagged goose-beaked whales off Cape Hatteras. The study assessed the whales' behavioral responses to Continuous Active Sonar (CAS) signals, utilizing a High Frequency Recording Package (HARP) for sound recordings and coordination with the USS Thomas Hudner for sonar signal transmission. Preliminary observations suggested minimal behavioral changes in the focal whale, Zc150, during the experiment.
First Satellite Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2024
July 8, 2024
In June 2024, a Duke University team initiated the Atlantic Behavioral Response Study (BRS) by deploying satellite-linked dive recorders on goose-beaked whales (Cuvier's beaked whales) off the coast of North Carolina. These tags collect data on the whales' diving behavior and locations, enhancing understanding of their baseline activities. Additionally, the team released a rehabilitated hawksbill sea turtle named Bagheera back into the Atlantic Ocean.
Large Whale Action in the Mid-Atlantic
January 30, 2024
After a relatively slow start to the 2023-2024 large whale season, things are picking up here in the Mid-Atlantic. Last week was the busiest we’ve had so far this season for several of our projects as well as adjacent colleagues.
Cuvier's from Cape to Canyon
September 16, 2022
Photo ID match of a Goose-beaked whale between Cape Hatteras and Virginia Beach after two years.
Atlantic BRS – 2022 CEE with the USS Farragut
August 26, 2022
A controlled exposure success story using a Navy ship.
Atlantic BRS - First CEE of 2021
August 9, 2021
A team of researchers and Navy staff recently completed the first controlled exposure experiment of the 2021 field season for the Atlantic Behavioral Response Study.
Atlantic Behavioral Response Study kicks off 2021 field season
July 13, 2021
The Atlantic Behavioral Response Study kicked off the 2021 field season last week by deploying the first round of satellite-linked telemetry tags on Cuvier's beaked whales.
Atlantic BRS - First CEE of 2020
July 17, 2020
The first CEE of 2020 overcame the challenges of COVID-19.
Atlantic BRS - Multi-scale CEE Success!
August 15, 2019
The first CEE while two different tag types were deployed.
Atlantic BRS 2018 Field Work is Underway
May 18, 2018
The 2nd year of Atlantic BRS has begun.
Repeat tagging customers to humpback monitoring project
January 30, 2018
Some interesting notes on site fidelity in Humpack whales.
Atlantic BRS 2017!
May 22, 2017
The Atlantic BRS efforts are underway.
Bonus tagging in JAX
June 15, 2016
Odontocete tagging in Florida.
Banner day tagging odontocetes at Hatteras!
June 1, 2016
A busy field day in NC.
Tagging North Atlantic Right Whales
May 9, 2016
Southeast US tagging project has successful season.
Hatteras tagging wraps up for 2015
November 10, 2015
The finale of a successful field season.
Tagging Deep Diving Odontocetes Off Cape Hatteras - Part 3
September 26, 2014
Details on the 3rd field session for the year.
Tagging Whales Off Cape Hatteras
May 21, 2014
Learning about the movements of odontocetes.
North Atlantic Right Whale Disentanglement
March 3, 2014
Our team provided assistance to a disentanglement effort.
Cape Hatteras Field Work Update
October 28, 2013
Calm days at sea off NC.
Passive acoustic monitoring for right whales off Cape Hatteras
October 21, 2013
MARUs off NC
Complete
Behavioral Response Research Evaluation Workshop II (BRREW II)
Project Objectives
Response
Complete
Passive Acoustic Monitoring for North Atlantic Right Whales off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Project Objectives
Investigate the timing of right whale migration through the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as the relative distance from shore and acoustic behavior of migrating whales
Complete
Baseline Monitoring for Marine Mammals in the East Coast Range Complexes (vessel surveys)
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, habitat associations, and stock structure of marine mammals and sea turtles in key areas of Navy range complexes
Complete
North Atlantic Right Whale Monitoring in the Southeast Calving Area
Project Objectives
Assess behavior of right whales in coastal waters of the Southeast calving grounds, including rates of travel of individuals, dive behavior, and rates of sound production
Complete
Baseline Monitoring for Marine Mammals in the East Coast Range Complexes (passive acoustics)
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, density, and vocal activity of marine mammals and sea turtles in key areas of Navy range complexes
Complete
Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog
Project Objectives
Establish a centralized collaborative humpback whale photo-id catalog for the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions to support management and environmental planning
Complete
Occurrence, Ecology, and Behavior of Deep-diving Odontocetes
Project Objectives
Establish behavioral baseline and foraging ecology. Assess behavioral response to acoustic stimuli and Navy training activities
Complete
Behavioral Response of Humpback Whales to Vessel Traffic
Project Objectives
Understand the behavioral response of humpback whales to approaching vessels in the shipping channels at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
Current
Behavioral Response Analysis of Two Populations of Short-Finned Pilot Whales to Mid-Frequency Active Sonar
Project Objectives
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.
Current
Jacksonville Shallow Water Training Range Vessel Surveys and M3R Species Verifications
Project Objectives
Monitor species composition and distribution on JSWTR, support M3R species verifications
Current
North Atlantic Right Whale Monitoring, Conservation, and Protection
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, habitat use, and behavior of North Atlantic right whales in the mid-Atlantic region
Current
Atlantic Behavioral Response Study
Project Objectives
Assess behavioral response of beaked and pilot whales to mid-frequency tactical sonarNo related documents to display
