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First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021

First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021

After a long wait for good weather and engine repairs to the R/V Richard T. Barber, we were very excited to kick off the first round of tag deployments for the 2021 Atlantic Behavioral Response Study (BRS). It felt great to be back in the field and we made the most of some wonderful offshore weather over the past couple of weeks.

Adult male Cuvier’s beaked whale surfacing off Cape Hatteras. Note the tusks at the tip of the lower jaw. Photo by Dr. Will Cioffi.


Our task was to deploy satellite-linked dive recorders on Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) prior to a planned Controlled Exposure Experiment (CEE) with a Navy vessel on July 15th. The tags collect information on the diving behavior of the whales and transmit data summaries to ARGOS receivers placed on NOAA weather satellites.

We use these observations to build a record of the baseline behavior of each whale before the experiment, including their horizontal movements and diving records. From our work supported by NAVFAC over the past few years, we have built one of the most extensive records of the behavior of this species anywhere in the world.

Deploying a satellite-linked dive recorder on a Cuvier’s beaked whale off Cape Hatteras. Photo by Dr. Will Cioffi.


In three excellent field days we were able to deploy 10 tags on Cuvier’s beaked whales off Cape Hatteras. Our success reflects the very high density of these elusive whales in this area and an extremely experienced and talented field team. We also require excellent weather conditions, as we deploy the tags remotely using an air rifle. Calm seas are absolutely necessary to find the whales and deploy tags.

A very distinctive adult female Cuvier’s beaked whale off Cape Hatteras. Note the scars from a previous shark attack. Photo by Andy Read.


We saw lots of familiar whales, including several that we tagged in previous years – it was good to see so many old friends. We also saw quite a few female whales accompanied by dependent calves, something that is quite rare for our study area. Among these moms was a very distinctive female with what appeared to be scars from a shark attack on her right flank. Her newborn calf had also been attacked but survived.

Adult female Cuvier’s beaked whale and her dependent calf (in the foreground) off Cape Hatteras. Photo by Andy Read.


We feel very lucky to be able to work with such wonderfully strange and enigmatic animals in such a beautiful location. We work about 40 miles from shore, in the azure waters of the Gulf Stream, where we are often the only boat for miles, surrounded by pelagic seabirds, dolphins and whales. It is a remarkable place.

White-tailed tropic bird over the Gulf Stream off off Cape Hatteras. Photo by Dr. Will Cioffi.


So, all is in place for next week’s CEE – stay tuned for the next update.

Cuvier’s beaked whale surfacing off Cape Hatteras.  Photo by Dr. Will Cioffi.
July 9, 2021 aread@duke.edu

About the author

aread@duke.edu

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Contact Andy:

252-504-7590

aread*duke.edu

135 Duke Marine Lab Road

Beaufort, NC 28516

Recent news from our lab:

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    First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021 July 9, 2021
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