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

• Main Author: Helweg, D. A.
• Other Authors: SPACE AND NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS CENTER SAN DIEGO CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: Biology; Acoustics; *ACOUSTICS; *WHALES; MAMMALS; MONITORING; COMPUTERS; WINTER; MALES; SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE; AUSTRALIA; ANTARCTIC REGIONS; EAST(DIRECTION); NOISE(SOUND); ANIMAL MIGRATION; NEW ZEALAND; SINGING HUMPBACK WHALES; MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE; PE602936N; Antarctic; Pacific; New Zealand; Antarc*; Megaptera novaeangliae
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA340481; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA340481

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.