Numbers of Calling Whales in the North Pacific

Numbers of Calling Whales in the North Pacific
Author: William A. Watkins
Publisher:
Total Pages: 100
Release: 2001
Genre: Bioacoustics
ISBN:

Since November 1995, the U.S. Navy's Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) and other hydrophone arrays were used to regularly sample the occurrence of whale sounds in four regions bordering the continental margins across the North Pacific. The numbers of whales heard calling varied with season and location for each species, blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). For blue whales, calling during the fall season averaged 5 whales per event, winter averaged 1.5 whales per event, spring averaged 1 whale, and summer averaged 1.5 whales. For fin whales the numbers of whales heard ('F' calls from individuals) during winter averaged 3 whales per event, spring and fall calling averaged 1.5 whales, and summer averaged 1 whale. The 'J' calling events, regardless of season, were judged to be from at least 6 fin whales. Humpback singing typically was from 3 whales. These number demonstrated seasonal variations in calling whales for each region.

Numbers of Calling Whales in the North Pacific

Numbers of Calling Whales in the North Pacific
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2005
Genre:
ISBN:

Funding was provided by CNO N45 Environmental Program and US Army Corps of Engineers (DCA87-00-H-0026) with funding from the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program.

North Pacific Whale Calling Program

North Pacific Whale Calling Program
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2002
Genre:
ISBN:

This seventh year of monitoring calling whales via SOSUS hydrophones has continued to provide good data on the seasonal distribution blue, fin and humpback whales across the North Pacific. These data have allowed assessment of annual movements, environmental variability, and changes in call features. These data demonstrate (1) the occurrence and movements of calling components of the populations of these species in the offshore waters across the North Pacific, (2) the changes in these calls, (3) the estimated numbers of calling whales, (3) the correlation of calling with known features of population activities, (4) the annual patterns of offshore whale calling, and (5) tracks for individual whales. These have allowed good forecasts for the occurrence of these strong biological noises.

Distribution of Calling Blue, Fin, and Humpback Whales in the North Pacific

Distribution of Calling Blue, Fin, and Humpback Whales in the North Pacific
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 70
Release: 2000
Genre: Blue whale
ISBN:

The seasonal distribution of calling blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin whales (B. physalus), and singing humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) has been analyzed from acoustic data recorded by U.S. Navy Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) and other hydrophone arrays in the North Pacific. The data from ten arrays were selected as representative of four Regions along the continental margins, labeled Northwest (NW), Northcentral (NC), Northeast (NE), and Southeast (SE). The call data indicate that there is a substantial population of blue whales scattered over the North Pacific and concentrated during the Fall season in the NW and NC Regions. Blue whale calls are recorded in all seasons, particularly in these NW and NC Regions. Fin whales are found in groups but also in relatively large numbers in all Regions, with most calling in the Winter season and in the NC Region, and calling is absent in most Regions during Summer. Fin whale calling includes "F" calls from individuals heard in all seasons and "J" calls from too many whales to separate, particularly prominent in the winter reproductive season. Humpback singing is recorded most in the NC and SE Regions at the time of their Winter/Spring migration. The distribution of singing humpbacks changed in both the NC and SE Regions between the 1996-1997 and 1998-2000 periods.

Whale Call Data for the North Pacific

Whale Call Data for the North Pacific
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2000
Genre: Blue whale
ISBN:

Calls of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were identified in the data from U.S. Navy Sound Surveilance System (SOSUS) and other hydrophone arrays. These data on calling whales from November 1995 through July 1999 have been listed here for four offshore, deep-water Regions along continental margins of the North and Northeast Pacific. The occurrence of calling whales was monitored during two-day periods each week. Call data recorded from each array identified species, call occurrence, variation, received beam, and relative numbers of calling whales. This allowed assessment of seasonal distribution of calls for the different species, and provided locations for sources received at multiple arrays. Blue whale tonal sounds were distributed widely, received most in the NW Region, with a peak in occurrence in the fall. Fin whale "20-Hz" repetitive pulse sequences were received from whales grouped in local areas in all Regions, with a peak in occurrence in midwinter. Humpback songs were received from December through May particularly in the SE Region. The offshore listening systems allowed basin-wide monitoring of the seasonal distribution of these callng whales.

Whale Call Data for the North Pacific

Whale Call Data for the North Pacific
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2000
Genre: Blue whale
ISBN:

Calls of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were identified in the data from U.S. Navy Sound Surveilance System (SOSUS) and other hydrophone arrays. These data on calling whales from November 1995 through July 1999 have been listed here for four offshore, deep-water Regions along continental margins of the North and Northeast Pacific. The occurrence of calling whales was monitored during two-day periods each week. Call data recorded from each array identified species, call occurrence, variation, received beam, and relative numbers of calling whales. This allowed assessment of seasonal distribution of calls for the different species, and provided locations for sources received at multiple arrays. Blue whale tonal sounds were distributed widely, received most in the NW Region, with a peak in occurrence in the fall. Fin whale "20-Hz" repetitive pulse sequences were received from whales grouped in local areas in all Regions, with a peak in occurrence in midwinter. Humpback songs were received from December through May particularly in the SE Region. The offshore listening systems allowed basin-wide monitoring of the seasonal distribution of these callng whales.