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Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021

Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021

On July 30, we conducted a successful Controlled Exposure Experiment (CEE) with thirteen satellite-tagged Cuvier’s beaked whales Ziphius cavirostris, off Cape Hatteras. These whales were exposed to Mid-Frequency Active Sonar (MFAS) signals in a highly controlled experimental setting. The MFAS signals were produced by the USS Farragut, a guided missile destroyer based in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch.

CEEs are amongst the most challenging field experiments to conduct. The first step is to equip whales with tags that record dive behavior and movement. In this experiment, we employed satellite-linked dive recorders that transmit data to orbiting satellites. We tagged the whales well ahead of the CEE, allowing us to collect extensive baseline data on movements and diving behavior several weeks prior to the experiment.

Cuvier’s beaked whale surfacing off Cape Hatteras. Image by Dr. Will Cioffi.

To monitor the behavior of the whales in real time during the experiment, we used the Duke University’s Research Vessel Shearwater. Despite strong winds and high seas, we were able to locate three focal tagged whales the day prior to the experiment and follow them during and after the exposure.

Crew and science party of the RV Shearwater prior to departure.

To ensure that the focal whales received sonar signals that were audible, but not loud enough to cause harm, we conducted real-time acoustic propagation modeling that allowed us to predict the sound levels received by the whales. We confirmed these predicted sound levels by deploying an acoustic recorder near the whales during the experiment. We then requested the Farragut to move to a specific location, some distance from the whales, and to initiate the MFAS signals. The spatial spread of the tagged whales ensured that they received a variety of received levels, ranging from our target levels for the closest, focal whales, to very low levels for the whales farthest from the Farragut.

Cuvier’s beaked whale surfacing off Cape Hatteras. Photo by Andy Read.

The three focal whales all responded to the MFAS by making long dives and moving away from the Farragut. This is very consistent with the responses we have seen in previous CEES, using both real and simulated sonar signals. We are continuing to monitor the tagged whales more than a week after the experiment to understand their longer-term response to the exposure.

Example of the diving behavior generated during the CEE from a satellite-tagged beaked whale. Time (in hours) is on the x-axis and the period of sonar exposure is indicated in pink.

The experiment required a high degree of precise co-ordination and communication with the USS Farragut. We are grateful to the officers and crew of the Farragut and to our Navy colleagues who made this co-ordination so effective. You can read more about the Navy side of this experiment here. We are also grateful for the skill and hard work of the Captain and crew of the Shearwater.

August 6, 2021 aread@duke.edu

About the author

aread@duke.edu

Recent Posts

  • Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021
    Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021August 6, 2021
  • First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021
    First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021July 9, 2021
  • Atlantic BRS 2020 – First CEE
    Atlantic BRS 2020 – First CEEJuly 16, 2020

Popular Posts

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Recent news:

  • Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021
    Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021 August 6, 2021

    On July 30, we conducted a successful Controlled Exposure Experiment (CEE) with...

  • First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021
    First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021 July 9, 2021

    After a long wait for good weather and engine repairs to the R/V Richard T. Barb...

  • Atlantic BRS 2020 – First CEE
    Atlantic BRS 2020 – First CEE July 16, 2020

    On Wednesday, July 16th we completed a successful experimental playback of...

  • Atlantic BRS 2019 – Multi-Scale CEE
    Atlantic BRS 2019 – Multi-Scale CEE August 10, 2019

        On August 6th, we conducted a successful Controlled Exposure Exper...

  • Atlantic BRS 2019 Underway
    Atlantic BRS 2019 Underway May 12, 2019

    The first field season of our 2019 Atlantic Behavioral Response Study (BRS) is u...

  • 2018 BRS – Second Phase – First Update
    2018 BRS – Second Phase – First Update August 16, 2018

    Last week we welcomed Jessica Aschettino to our field team to deploy satellite-l...

  • Wrapping Up The First Phase of the 2018 Atlantic BRS
    Wrapping Up The First Phase of the 2018 Atlantic BRS June 25, 2018

    We have just wrapped up field work in the first phase of the 2018 Atlantic Behav...

  • Atlantic BRS 2018 Field Work Second Update
    Atlantic BRS 2018 Field Work Second Update June 5, 2018

    During the past week we finished deploying satellite tags for the first leg of t...

  • Atlantic BRS 2018 Field Work Update
    Atlantic BRS 2018 Field Work Update May 28, 2018

    Despite more unsettled weather, we made significant progress on the Atlantic BRS...

  • Field Work Underway for Atlantic BRS 2018
    Field Work Underway for Atlantic BRS 2018 May 16, 2018

    It has been a challenging start to field work for the 2018 Atlantic Behavioral R...

Contact Andy:

252-504-7590

aread*duke.edu

135 Duke Marine Lab Road

Beaufort, NC 28516

Recent news from our lab:

  • Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021
    Atlantic BRS – First CEE of 2021 August 6, 2021
  • First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021
    First Tag Deployments for Atlantic BRS 2021 July 9, 2021
  • Atlantic BRS 2020 – First CEE
    Atlantic BRS 2020 – First CEE July 16, 2020
  • Atlantic BRS 2019 – Multi-Scale CEE
    Atlantic BRS 2019 – Multi-Scale CEE August 10, 2019
  • Atlantic BRS 2019 Underway
    Atlantic BRS 2019 Underway May 12, 2019

Our group:

MCE@D
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