Migrating humpback whales show no detectable response to whale alarms off Sydney, Australia

Authors
Pirotta, V., Slip, D., Jonsen, I.D., Peddemors, V.M., Cato, D.H., Ross, G. and R. Harcourt
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Endangered Species Research
Volume (Issue #)
29
Page #s
201-209
Contact information
Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
vanessa.pirotta@students.mq.edu.au
Summary

The ability of acoustic alarms to alert migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to fishing gear was tested. Two alarms were used, each with a distinct tone. One alarm had a 5 kHz tone (5 s emission interval and 400 ms emission duration), and one had a 2-2.1 kHz swept tone (8 s emission interval and 1.5 s emission duration). The response of the whales in terms of changes to surface behavior and travel direction were investigated. A total of 108 migration tracks were collected using a theodolite. The study was conducted at Cape Solander, Sydney, Australia. The whales showed no detectable response to either of the alarms; direction and surfacing behavior did not vary between when the alarms were on or off. These types of tones are unlikely to be effective as whale entanglement deterrents.

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