Automating the Acoustic Monitoring of New Zealand Waters for Migrating Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Historically, some Southern Hemisphere Area V (130 degrees E to 170 degrees W) humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrated from Antarctic feeding sites to wintering sites off eastern Australia and the southwestern Pacific through New Zealand waters. During winter months, males appear to advert...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Helweg, D. A.
Other Authors: SPACE AND NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS CENTER SAN DIEGO CA
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 1998
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA340481
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA340481
Description
Summary:Historically, some Southern Hemisphere Area V (130 degrees E to 170 degrees W) humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrated from Antarctic feeding sites to wintering sites off eastern Australia and the southwestern Pacific through New Zealand waters. During winter months, males appear to advertise their presence by producing lengthy, loud songs, and the presence of singing whales is a reliable indicator of a migratory route. This study describes the results of acoustic monitoring of New Zealand waters for the presence of singing humpback whales. A low-cost, off-the-shelf computer system and shareware was used.