Title
Changes in dive behavior during naval sonar exposure in killer whales, long-finned pilot whales, and sperm whales
Author
Sivle, L.D.
Kvadsheim, P.H.
Fahlman, A.
Lam, F.P.A.
Tyack, P.L.
Miller, P.J.O.
Publication year
2012
Abstract
Anthropogenic underwater sound in the environment might potentially affect the behavior of marine mammals enough to have an impact on their reproduction and survival. Diving behavior of four killer whales (Orcinus orca), seven long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), and four sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) was studied during controlled exposures to naval sonar [low frequency active sonar (LFAS): 1-2 kHz and mid frequency active sonar (MFAS): 6-7 kHz] during three field seasons (2006-2009). Diving behavior was monitored before, during and after sonar exposure using an archival tag placed on the animal with suction cups. The tag recorded the animal's vertical movement, and additional data on horizontal movement and vocalizations were used to determine behavioral modes. Killer whales that were conducting deep dives at sonar onset changed abruptly to shallow diving (ShD) during LFAS, while killer whales conducting deep dives at the onset of MFAS did not alter dive mode. When in ShD mode at sonar onset, killer whales did not change their diving behavior. Pilot and sperm whales performed normal deep dives (NDD) during MFAS exposure. During LFAS exposures, long-finned pilot whales mostly performed fewer deep dives and some sperm whales performed shallower and shorter dives. Acoustic recording data presented previously indicates that deep diving (DD) is associated with feeding. Therefore, the observed changes in dive behavior of the three species could potentially reduce the foraging efficiency of the affected animals.
Subject
Dive
Marine mammal
Sonar
Defence Research
Defence, Safety and Security
Physics & Electronics
AS - Acoustics & Sonar
TS - Technical Sciences
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:88734786-a2ce-4c19-b194-c1aad432985a
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2012.00400
TNO identifier
466794
Source
Frontiers in Physiology, 3 (3)
Bibliographical note
Open Access
Document type
article