Changes in the Spatial Distribution of Acoustically Derived Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Tracks in Response to Navy Training

A seven-year time series of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) acoustic detections in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean was examined in combination with regional environmental parameters to better understand fin whale seasonal distribution and behavioral ecology in a traditionally undersampled ocean regio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquatic mammals 2019-11, Vol.45 (6), p.661-674
Main Authors: Harris, Catriona M., Martin, Stephen W., Martin, Cameron, Helble, Tyler A., Henderson, E. Elizabeth, Paxton, Charles G. M., Thomas, Len
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Analysis
Animal behavior
Armed forces
Cetacea
Chlorophyll
Climate cycles
Data
Marine mammals
Military personnel
Military training
Naval vessels
Naval warfare
Navy
Sonar
Sound
Southern oscillation
Spatial analysis
Studies
Training
Whales & whaling
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Summary:A seven-year time series of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) acoustic detections in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean was examined in combination with regional environmental parameters to better understand fin whale seasonal distribution and behavioral ecology in a traditionally undersampled ocean region. Ecological modeling of environmental variables related to fin whale vocal presence indicated that median sound pressure spectral density level in the 5 to 115 Hz band, chlorophyll concentration, and sea surface temperature (SST) were the strongest predictors of fin whale presence. Fin whale vocal presence increased with increasing median sound level and decreased with increasing SST. Variation in seasonal fin whale call density and estimated animal density varied annually with one of the largest estimates occurring in the only year of the study when both the El Nino--Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation were in a positive phase. This work illustrates the feasibility and value of applying knowledge of call detection bearings and received levels from long-term, sparse array recordings to estimate animal density of marine mammals in the context of regional environmental conditions. Key Words: acoustics, density estimation, environmental modeling, fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus
ISSN:0167-5427
0251-3552
DOI:10.1578/AM.45.6.2019.661