2024-2025 Large Whale Season Summary
March 24, 2025
We have two separate efforts focusing on cetaceans off the coast of Virginia. The first is our Offshore (Outer Continental Shelf) Cetacean Study, which focuses primarily on deep diving odontocetes like sperm whales. The second effort is our Nearshore and Mid-Shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring Project.
Current
Salmonid and Southern Resident Killer Whale Distribution in the Pacific Northwest
Project Objectives
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
Complete
Passive Acoustic Monitoring in the Mariana Islands: Density Estimation of Beaked Whales along the West Coast of Guam
Project Objectives
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.
Current
Estimation of Received Levels of MFAS and Behavioral Response of Marine Mammals at PMRF
Project Objectives
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?
Current
Goose-Beaked Whale and Fin Whale Population Dynamics and Impact Assessment at the Southern California Offshore Antisubmarine Warfare Range (SOAR)
Project Objectives
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
Current
Southern California Beaked Whale Occurrence (formerly "Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals in Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL)")
Project Objectives
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.
Complete
Assessment of Marine Mammal Vocal Response to Sonar
Project Objectives
Develop analytic methods to evaluate the vocal response of odontocetes and mysticetes to sonar from navy training activities
Complete
Autonomous Real-Time Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Baleen Whales for Mitigating Interactions with Naval Activities
Project Objectives
Demonstrate near real-time passive acoustic detection and classification hardware/software systems
Current
Marine Mammal Sightings During CalCOFI Cruises
Project Objectives
Determine what species and populations of marine mammals are present in Southern California and estimate the abundance and density across seasons
Current
Occurrence of Rice's Whale in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence and distribution of Rice's whale throughout the northern Gulf of MexicoNo related documents to display
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