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.
Kaua'i Field Work Updates
February 20, 2025
Scientists from Cascadia Research Collective recently completed a ~9-day field project off Kaua’i that started on February 9th. This project is timed to occur prior to a Submarine Command Course (SCC) training event. The primary goal is to deploy satellite telemetry tags on multiple species of odontocete cetaceans prior to the SCC, to be able to examine their behavior before, during, and after the event. This approach has been very successful in the past as a way of examining how different species respond to Navy training activities including mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS). Click through the picture below to see daily updates.
Whales of Summer
June 10, 2024
In the mid-Atlantic, baleen whale sightings typically occur during the colder months, with peak activity in December and January. Sightings of humpback and right whales usually decrease by late March through April. While occasional baleen whale sightings, particularly of fin whales, happen during warmer months, large groups are uncommon as summer approaches. Pelagic surveys during this time often focus on odontocetes like sperm whales and beaked whales.
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.
New acoustic monitoring buoy helps researchers study and protect North Atlantic Right Whales
January 19, 2021
A new buoy to listen for protected whales.
Fin and blue whale feeding aggregation observed in Norfolk Canyon study area
March 26, 2019
Baleen whale feeding assemblage offshore of Virginia.
Blue whales and sei whales and right whales - OH MY!!!
April 18, 2018
A spring aggregation of endangered whales offshore.
Great Day for a Mid-Atlantic Offshore Survey
April 20, 2015
Pelagic cetaceans and sea turtle sightings.
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
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals Using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles in Southern California
Project Objectives
Explore presence of marine mammals in less-surveyed, offshore areas
Current
Gulf of Alaska Acoustic Moorings and Analysis
Project Objectives
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
Current
Passive Acoustic Monitoring for Mid-Atlantic Baleen Whales
Project Objectives
Monitor large whale occurrence in the Mid-Atlantic
Complete
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals Using Gliders in Marianas
Project Objectives
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
Complete
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Alaska
Project Objectives
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
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
Complete
Blue and Fin Whale Satellite Tagging
Project Objectives
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
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
Long Term Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals Utilizing the Instrumented Range at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF)
Project Objectives
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.
Complete
Acoustic and Visual Survey for Cetaceans in Behm Canal and Southern Clarence Strait, Alaska
Project Objectives
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.
Current
Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (PACMAPPS) survey
Project Objectives
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.
Current
Mid-Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Study
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, habitat use, and baseline behavior of cetaceans in the offshore and continental shelf break region of the VACAPES OPAREA
Current
Mid-Atlantic Nearshore & Mid-shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, habitat use, and baseline behavior of baleen whales in the mid-Atlantic regionNo related documents to display
