Behavioral responses of fin whales to military mid-frequency active sonar

The effect of active sonars on marine mammal behavior is a topic of considerable interest and scientific investigation. Some whales, including the largest species (blue whales, Balaenoptera musculus), can be impacted by mid-frequency (1-10 kHz) military sonars. Here we apply complementary experiment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Royal Society Open Science
Main Authors: Southall, Brandon, Allen, Ann N., Calambokidis, John, Casey, Caroline, DeRuiter, Stacy L., Fregosi, Selene, Friedlaender, Ari S., Goldbogen, Jeremy, Harris, Catriona M, Hazen, Elliot L., Popov, Valentin Mina, Stimpert, Alison K
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Noise
Marine mammals
Mid-frequency sonar
Fin whales
Behaviour
Balaenoptera musculus
Balaenoptera physalus
Online Access:https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/behavioral-responses-of-fin-whales-to-military-midfrequency-active-sonar(6cc51d76-2849-4667-98ef-b384aef5a855).html
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231775
https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/28887/1/Southall-2023-Behavioural-responses-of-fin-whales-RSOS-10-231775-CCBY.pdf
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Summary:The effect of active sonars on marine mammal behavior is a topic of considerable interest and scientific investigation. Some whales, including the largest species (blue whales, Balaenoptera musculus), can be impacted by mid-frequency (1-10 kHz) military sonars. Here we apply complementary experimental methods to provide the first experimentally controlled measurements of behavioral responses to military sonar and similar stimuli for a related endangered species, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). Analytical methods include: (1) Principal Component Analysis paired with Generalized Additive Mixed Models; (2) Hidden Markov Models; and (3) structured expert elicitation using response severity metrics. These approaches provide complementary perspectives on the nature of potential changes within and across individuals. Behavioral changes were detected in five of 15 whales during controlled exposure experiments (CEEs) using mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) or pseudorandom noise (PRN) of similar frequency, duration, and source and received level. No changes were detected during six control (no noise) sequences. Overall responses were more limited in occurrence, severity, and duration than in blue whales and were less dependent upon contextual aspects of exposure and more contingent upon exposure received level. Quantifying the factors influencing marine mammal responses to sonar is critical in assessing and mitigating future impacts.

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