Acoustic alarms elicit only subtle responses in the behavior of tropical coastal dolphins in Queensland, Australia

Authors
Soto, A.B., Cagnazzi, D., Everingham, Y., Parra, G.J., Noad, M. and Marsh, H.
Year
Journal/Publisher Name
Endangered Species Research
Volume (Issue #)
20
Page #s
271-282
Contact information
alvaro_berg@hotmail.com
Summary

Fumunda acoustic alarms were tested in the absence of nets to determine their ability to modify the behavior of Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins, with possible applications to gillnet fisheries. The alarms emitted a regular interval pulse of 300 ms every 4 seconds at 10 kHz frequency.  The behavior of the animals changed slightly when the alarms were used but the likelihood of them leaving the area was not significantly different from the control.  This suggests this type of acoustic alarm may not be useful as a bycatch mitigation measure for these species.