Preliminary Results from a Deep‐water Ecological Acoustic Recorder (EAR) Deployed off NW Ni‘i hau during RIMPAC‐2010

Two ecological acoustic recorders (EARs) were deployed on July 17, 2010, one at a depth of 800 meters (m) off the northwest coast (21° 59.613' N, 160° 12.167' W), and the other at a depth of 16 m off the southeast coast of Ni'ihau (21° 47.306' N, 160° 11.964' W). These two sites were selected by personnel from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific to provide acoustic data during the 2010 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in the Hawaii Range Complex.

Ecological acoustic recorders (EARs) have been deployed at several locations in Hawaii and in other western Pacific locations to study the foraging behavior of deep-diving odontocetes. EARs have been deployed at depths greater than 400 m at five locations around the island of Kauai, one at Ni’ihau, two around the island of Okinawa, and four in the Marianas (two close to island of Guam, one close to the island of Saipan and another close to the island of Tinian).

In May 2011, a rare occurrence took place off the Southern California coast. For the first time since U.S. Navy-funded aerial surveys began in the area in 2008, a group of 20 sperm whales, including four calves, was seen—approximately 24 nautical miles west of San Diego.

Fifteen aerial surveys (72,647 km) occurred during 2008-2012 to monitor occurrence, abundance, and behavior of marine mammals in the Southern California Bight (SCB) on behalf of the U.S. Navy. Thirty-six (2%) of 2,151 total sightings of at least 11 species were mixed-species associations (i.e., at least two different species swimming together/interacting). Little is known about these associations. Risso’s dolphins were most frequently associated with another marine mammal species (19 [7%] of 238 total Risso’s sightings) as follows: with sperm whales (1x), California sea lions (CaSL) (3x), and bottlenose (7x), northern right whale (NRWD) (4x), long-beaked common (1x), unidentified (1x), and common dolphin sp. (2x). Up to 3 species occurred together on 3 different occasions: (1) sperm whales/Risso’s/NRW dolphins, (2) Risso’s/unidentified dolphins/CaSL, and (3) Pacific white-sided/common dolphins with CaSL. The most unusual mixed species sighting was 24 sperm whales (including 4 calves) with 11 Risso’s and ~50 NRW dolphins: Risso’s repeatedly charged adult sperm whales’ heads who responded by dropping their lower jaw, perhaps related to kleptoparasitism. Potential reasons for mixed-species associations include increased protection from predators via dilution, increased prey detection/consumption, and “play” (i.e., fin whale calf touching NRWD). Data include interactions not previously documented in the SCB among these socially complex animal groups.

Effects of mixed-species associations (MSA [at least two different species swimming together and / or inte racting]) on cetacean behavior rarely have been quantified, but are important for identifying and differentiating potential anthropogenic impacts . Baseline marine mammal behavior was assessed during 83 ,005 km of U.S. Navy supported aerial line-transect surveys in the Southern California Bight during 2008-2013.

This study investigates mixed-species associations among marine mammals in the Southern California Bight, focusing specifically on Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus). Over a six-year period, aerial surveys were conducted to record the frequency and nature of these associations, revealing that Risso's dolphins were the most commonly observed species in mixed interactions. The results indicate a significant decline in the proportion of Risso's dolphins involved in such associations compared to historical records, possibly due to an increase in their relative abundance. The findings underline the importance of monitoring mixed-species associations to understand marine mammal dynamics and ecological interactions.

The present work is intended to complement ongoing research by Duke University off Cape Hatteras (hereinafter referred to as the Duke program) by providing information on the movement and diving behavior of these species over the medium term (weeks to months). The Duke program is focusing on shorter-term dive behavior (i.e., hours to days) using Digital Acoustic Tags and longer-term movements (i.e., months to years) using photo-identification (photo-ID) techniques

. This report summarizes information obtained through additional field efforts undertaken in 2016, while incorporating results from the first two years of effort. The present work is intended to complement ongoing research by Duke University off Cape Hatteras (hereinafter referred to as the Duke program) by providing information on the movement and diving behavior of these species over the medium term (weeks to months)

This work builds upon and complements longer-term studies of movements and site fidelity of both Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off the North Carolina coast using photo-identification (photo-ID)

This work builds upon and complements longer-term studies of movements and site fidelity of both Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off the North Carolina coast using photo-identification (photo-ID)

As part of an assessment of habitat use and movements of odontocetes being undertaken in the western half of the main Hawaiian Islands (see Baird et al. 2011, 2012), field operations funded by Commander, U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet were undertaken off of Kaua‘i in January 2012. There were two primary goals of these operations: 1) providing species verification for acoustic detections by the Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R) project on the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) hydrophone range (see Moretti et al. 2012); and 2) deploying satellite tags prior to a Submarine Commanders Course (SCC) training event to be undertaken off Kaua‘i in February 2012.

As part of a long-term U.S. Navy-funded marine mammal monitoring program, in August 2018 a combination of vessel-based field effort and passive acoustic monitoring was carried out on and around the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Kaua‘i prior to a Submarine Commander Course scheduled for mid-August 2018. The purpose of the monitoring effort was to assess the spatial movement patterns and habitat use of cetaceans that are exposed to mid-frequency active sonar and how those patterns influence exposure and potentially responses.

The overall goal of this study was to include the 2018 survey data in the previous 1991–2014 modeling dataset in order to improve SMDs for the CCE study area. Specific objectives included: Generating multi-year average density surfaces for the Navy and others to use in their long-term (2–7 year) environmental planning efforts; and Providing updated abundance and “minimum population size (Nmin)” estimates as defined in the Guidelines for Assessing Marine Mammal Stocks (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2016).

The Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS) 2017 was conducted in waters within the United States (U.S.) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Hawaiian Archipelago (henceforth “Hawaiian EEZ” for brevity) from 6 July through 1 December 2017 (Yano et al. 2018). The primary objective of this line-transect survey was to collect cetacean sighting data to support the derivation of cetacean density estimates using both design-based analyses and habitat modeling techniques.

Three subsurface passive acoustic moorings were deployed in the western Gulf of Alaska on the EcoFOCI fall mooring cruise onboard the F/V Aquila 15 Aug – 14 Sep 2023; recovery is planned for September 2024, funding permitting. These mooring will allow investigation into the seasonal occurrence of many species of vocalizing marine mammals including North Pacific right (NPRW), blue, fin, humpback, minke, gray, sperm, killer, and beaked whales, Dall’s and harbor porpoise, general pinniped sounds, and anthropogenic noise sources such as vessels and seismic airguns. This is important data that the Navy needs to prepare environmental planning documentation, including those for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and ESA documents and consultations. It is also needed to inform the National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Regional Office’s NPRW critical habitat expansion decision. In addition to the field work, processing of existing passive acoustic recordings from three moorings in the WGOA is ongoing, with one site (Barnabus Trough) completed for the high-frequency band. Killer whale vocalizations were detected on 214 of the 358 days with recordings.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Alaska Fisheries Science Center has maintained passive acoustic recorder moorings in areas of interest to the US Navy in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Archival data from three of these sites were analyzed for the timing and occurrence of key cetacean species. In addition, three subsurface passive acoustic moorings were deployed for a year (fall 2023 to fall 2024) in areas of mutual interest to NOAA and the Navy. Two of these new moorings, located along the western GOA slope, were redeployed in 2024.

The Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS) is a recurring ship-based, line-transect survey designed to estimate cetacean abundance in the entirety of the Hawaiian EEZ.

Aerial surveys provide a valuable platform to record and document behavior of marine mammals above and below the sea surface. This approach is advantageous in avoiding disturbance from the observational platform while circling outside the sound cone of the plane. Since 2008, the U.S. Navy has instituted a marine mammal monitoring program in southern California from several platforms, including aerial surveys, and has successfully captured previously undocumented behaviors and species interactions during the aerial effort. This included focal behavioral interactions between sperm whales, northern right whale dolphins, and Risso's dolphins on 14 May 2011, 24 nm west of San Diego, CA. This -1.5-hour encounter was documented in detail with high- definition digital photographs and video as the group traveled NE along the edge of a steep underwater drop-off. Risso's dolphins initiated charges towards the heads of the sperm whales on multiple occasions, followed by fast retreats. Sperm whale adults responded by displaying an open lower jaw. Risso's dolphins appeared to direct this behavior only toward adult sperm whales that had recently surfaced from long (> 20 min) dives; it was not directed toward the four calves in the group. Northern right whale dolphins intermingled with the Risso's dolphins and sperm whales, although they did not approach sperm whales as closely or abruptly as the Risso's dolphins. While similar apparently aggressive Risso's dolphin behavior has been documented toward other cetacean species, this is the first known occurrence of head-on charging by Risso's dolphins, accompanied by the elicited jaw display response from sperm whales. The interaction may be similar to aggressive pilot whales behavior towards sperm whales, and may function in acquiring regurgitated sperm whale food, or other needs by the Risso's dolphins.

Spatial and temporal distribution patterns, density and abundance of cetaceans in the southern California Bight were assessed through visual and acoustic surveys during five California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) cruises from August 2011 – July 2012. Visual monitoring incorporated standard line-transect protocol during all daylight transits while acoustic monitoring employed a towed hydrophone array during transits and sonobuoys at oceanographic sampling stations.

In order to further investigate potential changes in behavior in response to MFAS exposure, sounds of marine mammals were recorded in the vicinity of three U.S. Navy training exercises before, during, and after the use of MFAS in Onslow Bay, North Carolina (July 2008), and near Jacksonville, Florida (September–October, and December 2009). The resulting passive acoustic data were analyzed using automated signal-detection software to detect individual sonar transmissions (“pings”), and sounds of North Atlantic right, minke, fin, and sperm whales. In addition, putative right whale “gunshot” sounds that had been detected in an earlier, separate analysis of the Jacksonville recordings were reviewed by two experienced marine mammal acoustic analysts.

The first cetacean circovirus, beaked whale circovirus (BWCV), was recently reported in a Longman’s beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) stranded in Hawai‘i and represents an emergent disease with unknown population impacts. In other species, circovirus infection may cause mortality or opportunistic co-infection by other pathogens. We report on a targeted surveillance of stranded cetaceans in the Pacific basin, including archived beaked whale species, strandings where pathological findings suggested disease presence, mass stranded animals, and additional individuals to represent a broad range of Hawaiian cetacean species. Archived tissues primarily from the brain, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and lymph nodes of individuals stranded between 2000 and 2020 (n=30) were tested by PCR for the presence of BWCV.

A combination of machine learning and expert analyst review was used to detect odontocete echolocation clicks, identify dominant click types, and classify clicks in 32 years of acoustic data collected at 11 autonomous monitoring sites in the western North Atlantic between 2016 and 2019. Previously-described click types for eight known odontocete species or genera were identified in this data set: Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris), Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Gervais’ beaked whales (Mesoplodon europaeus), Sowerby’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), and True’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon mirus), Kogia spp., Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus)

This project is intended to provide baseline information on the species composition, density, distribution, and basic behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present within the United States (U.S.) Navy’s Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Operating Area (OPAREA). This study is part of a larger, multi-institutional, marine mammal and sea turtle monitoring program of U.S. Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico supporting Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT)

This report represents one facet of a collaborative multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic Coast.

This report forms part of a multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density, and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic Coast.

This report forms part of a multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density, and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic Coast.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted to detect the presence of marine mammal and anthropogenic sounds in the Navy’s Northwest Training Range Complex (NWTRC) from September 14, 2012 until June 30, 2013. High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) recorded sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz at the shelf slope near Quinault Canyon. Data analysis methods consisted of detection of sounds by analyst scans of long-term spectral averages (LTSAs) and spectrograms, and by automated computer algorithms when possible. The data were divided into three frequency bands for analysis of marine mammal vocalizations and anthropogenic sounds.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area (GATMAA) from June 2013 to May 2014 to detect marine mammal and anthropogenic sounds. High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) recorded sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz at five locations: a shelf site offshore Kenai Peninsula (200 m depth, site CA), a continental slope site in deep water (850 m depth, site CB), a slope site offshore Kodiak Island (230 m depth, site KO), a deep offshore site at Pratt Seamount (1000 m depth, site PT), and a deep offshore site at Quinn Seamount (930 m depth, site QN).

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted in the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex from December 2012 to January 2014 to detect marine mammal and anthropogenic sounds. High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) recorded sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz at three locations: near Santa Barbara Island (880 m), west of San Clemente Island (1000 m), and southwest of San Clemente Island (1300 m). Six baleen whale species were recorded: blue whales, Bryde’s whales, fin whales, gray whales, humpback whales, and minke whales.

To monitor for the presence of marine mammals, High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) were deployed at two sites within the Navy’s Virginia Capes Range Complex. There were three deployments at one site, located offshore from Cape Hatteras (HAT), between October 2012 and December 2014. There was one deployment at the other site, located offshore from Norfolk Canyon (NFC), between June 2014 and April 2015. Both sites were located approximately 75 nmi offshore in about 1000 m of water.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted within the Navy’s Cherry Point OPAREA during August – December 2011 and July – October 2012 for a total of 105 and 81 days respectively. This site is located approximately 100 miles from the North Carolina coastline on the shelf break. The 2011 deployment was at a water depth of 952 m and the 2012 deployment was at a water depth of 914 m. Acoustic data collected at this site provide information on the presence of marine mammals and anthropogenic sound sources. High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) recorded sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz with recording cycles of 5 minutes every 10 minutes. The data were divided into three frequency bands and data were analyzed by scans of long-term spectral averages and spectrograms. Four baleen whale species were recorded: blue, fin, minke, and sei whales. The detections of their calls were made between late August and early December 2011. Blue whale calls were the only baleen whale call type detected in the 2012 deployment. No Bryde’s, humpback, or North Atlantic right whale calls were detected in either deployment. Several different toothed whale species were recorded: Blainville’s, Cuvier’s, and Gervais’ beaked whales, killer whales, pygmy or dwarf sperm whales (Kogia spp.), Risso’s dolphins, sperm whales, and unidentified odontocetes. All species except killer whales were recorded in 2011 and 2012. Killer whales were detected only in 2011. Ship noise was the most common anthropogenic sound in both deployments. MFA was noted during both deployments. A total of 391 pings were detected in 2011 with a maximum peak-to-peak received level of 156 dB re 1 μPa. In 2012, a total of 492 pings were detected with a maximum peak-to-peak received level of 167 dB re 1 μPa. Few echosounder pings over a variety of frequencies (4-80 kHz) were detected during both deployments. Explosions were detected in both deployments, though they were more prevalent in 2011 than 2012. High noise levels, possibly caused by instrument strumming and fluid flow at the sensor, occurred intermittently in both deployments and likely decreased the detection range for low-frequency sounds. This strumming was most prevalent in 2012.

This document contains amplifying technical data and information for the United States Department of the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex Comprehensive Monitoring Report.

Whales and dolphins use sound for different functions including echolocation and social communication, and thus changes in sound production patterns are a likely component of any behavioral response to anthropogenic sounds such as military mid-frequency sonar (MFA). To simultaneously log whale and dolphin movements, sound production and reception, and anthropogenic sound exposure levels, we used Dtags (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) and bioacoustic probes (Greeneridge Sciences). Tags were deployed on wild, free-ranging cetaceans in Southern California waters. Tagged animals were then exposed to simulated MFA or, as a control, pseudo-random noise (PRN). In total, the August-September 2010 SoCal10 behavioral response study included 28 playbacks: 19 to blue whales (11 MFA, 8 PRN), 5 to fin whales (3 MFA, 2 PRN), 2 to a single sperm whale (1 MFA, 1 PRN), 1 to a Risso’s dolphin (MFA), and 1 to a Cuvier’s beaked whale (MFA). For this analysis we focus first on baleen whale call production and reception rates (particularly blue whale D calls and variable calls) in relation to sound exposure level, dive behavior, and lunge feeding rates. We then examine echolocation-based foraging behavior and social call production by the toothed whales as a function of sound exposure level. This rich dataset, including multiple cetacean species of conservation concern, provides insight into the wide potential range of responses to sound, and the dependence of those responses on ecological, social and behavioral context. Investigations like SoCal10 can help guide inferences for related topics, such as assessment of population effects of anthropogenic noise.

In the Pacific, the Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R) program maintains systems that continuously run algorithms to detect, classify and localize marine mammals year-round on the U.S. Navy’s deep-water Southern California Antisubmarine Warfare Range (SOAR) in Southern California and the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) off Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i. Long-term archive data collected on these ranges allow for numerous types of studies on species inhabiting the ranges, including the monitoring of abundance, behavioral responses to naval activities, and habitat usage. They also provide the opportunity to study ambient sound levels and soundscapes.

The United States (U.S.) Navy routinely conducts training and testing activities in the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Operating Area (OPAREA) off the mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. The region encompassing the deeper waters of the continental shelf, shelf break, and continental slope has been recognized as an important habitat for multiple species of cetaceans. Kenney and Winn (1986) showed that the shelf edge from Cape Hatteras to Georges Bank was the second most intensively used cetacean habitat off the northeastern U.S. based on 3 years of surveys conducted by the Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program (CETAP 1982). This progress report includes all offshore monitoring activities conducted in 2021. The goals of this effort focus on addressing fundamental information gaps related to marine mammal occurrence, exposure, and response as identified by the U.S. Navy’s Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program (DoN 2010) and recommendations provided by a Scientific Advisory Group review (DoN 2011).

Taking into consideration the multiple intermediate scientific objectives in the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Planning Process (DoN 2013b), the goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies with environmental planning and compliance by addressing the following questions: • Which cetacean species occur over the outer continental shelf to the east of NSN, and how does occurrence fluctuate seasonally? • What are the baseline behaviors and ecological relationships of offshore cetaceans within the study area? • Do individual cetaceans exhibit site fidelity within specific regions of the study area over periods of weeks, months, or years? • What is the seasonal extent of cetacean movements within and around U.S. Navy VACAPES training range boxes? • Do cetaceans spend significant time within or primarily move through areas of U.S. Navy live-fire or Anti-Submarine Warfare training events?

Taking into consideration the multiple intermediate scientific objectives in the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Planning Process (DoN 2013b), the goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies with environmental planning and compliance by addressing the following questions:  Which cetacean species occur over the outer continental shelf to the east of NSN, and how does occurrence fluctuate seasonally?  What are the baseline behaviors and ecological relationships of offshore cetaceans within the study area?  Do individual cetaceans exhibit site fidelity within specific regions of the study area over periods of weeks, months, or years?  What is the seasonal extent of cetacean movements within and around U.S. Navy VACAPES training range boxes?  Do cetaceans spend significant time within or primarily

Taking into consideration the multiple intermediate scientific objectives in the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Planning Process (DoN 2013b), the goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies with environmental planning and compliance by addressing the following questions:  Which cetacean species occur over the outer continental shelf to the east of NSN, and how does occurrence fluctuate seasonally?  What are the baseline behaviors and ecological relationships of offshore cetaceans within the study area?  Do individual cetaceans exhibit site fidelity within specific regions of the study area over periods of weeks, months, or years?  What is the seasonal extent of cetacean movements within and around U.S. Navy VACAPES training range boxes?  Do cetaceans spend significant time within or primarily

Taking into consideration the multiple intermediate scientific objectives in the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Planning Process (DoN 2013b), the goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies with environmental planning and compliance by addressing the following questions:  Which cetacean species occur over the outer continental shelf to the east of NSN, and how does occurrence fluctuate seasonally?  What are the baseline behaviors and ecological relationships of offshore cetaceans within the study area?  Do individual cetaceans exhibit site fidelity within specific regions of the study area over periods of weeks, months, or years?  What is the seasonal extent of cetacean movements within and around U.S. Navy VACAPES training range boxes?  Do cetaceans spend significant time within or primarily

Taking into consideration the multiple intermediate scientific objectives in the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Planning Process (DoN 2013b), the goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies with environmental planning and compliance by addressing the following questions:  Which cetacean species occur over the outer continental shelf to the east of NSN, and how does occurrence fluctuate seasonally?  What are the baseline behaviors and ecological relationships of offshore cetaceans within the study area?  Do individual cetaceans exhibit site fidelity within specific regions of the study area over periods of weeks, months, or years?  What is the seasonal extent of cetacean movements within and around U.S. Navy VACAPES training range boxes?  Do cetaceans spend significant time within or primarily

Taking into consideration the multiple intermediate scientific objectives in the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Planning Process (DoN 2013), the goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies with environmental planning and compliance

This progress report summarizes offshore monitoring activities conducted between September 2024 and August 2025. The overarching objectives of the OCS remain focused on addressing key information gaps related to cetacean occurrence, exposure, and response within the conceptual framework for the U.S Navy Marine Species Monitoring Program.

In order to train with mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS), the United States (U.S.) Navy has obtained a permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Hawaii Range Complex (HRC) Monitoring Plan, finalized in December 2008 for implementation in January 2009, was developed with NMFS to comply with the requirements under the permit. The monitoring plan and reporting will provide science-based answers to questions regarding whether or not marine mammals are exposed and reacting to Navy MFAS. The objectives of the monitoring plan are to address the following questions: Are marine mammals and sea turtles exposed to MFAS at regulatory thresholds of harm or harassment? If so, at what levels and how frequently are they exposed? 1. If marine mammals and sea turtles are exposed to MFAS in the HRC, do they redistribute geographically in the HRC as a result of repeated exposure? If so, how long does the redistribution last? 2. If marine mammals and sea turtles are exposed to MFAS, what are their behavioral responses? Are they different at various levels? 3. What are the behavioral responses of marine mammals and sea turtles that are exposed to various levels and distances from explosives? 4. Are the Navy’s suite of mitigation measures for MFAS and explosives (e.g., Protective Measures Assessment Protocol [PMAP], measures agreed to by the Navy through permitting and consultation) effective at avoiding harm or harassment of marine mammals and sea turtles?

A three month visual and acoustic line-transect survey of a large (584,800 km2) study area centered on the Northern Mariana Islands (MISTCS) was conducted in winter of 2007 (DoN 2007). Line-transect survey and analytical methods are well developed for estimating abundance of marine mammals using visual sighting data. These methods also can be applied to acoustic data when a perpendicular distance from the trackline to the "detection" is obtained. Sperm whales produce distinctive broadband (100 Hz to 25 kHz) echolocation signals. Although sperm whales typically produce "regular" clicks, males are known to produce high amplitude clicks with slow inter-click intervals (i.e. "slow" clicks). Previous studies have used a combination of acoustic and visual survey methods to estimate sperm whale densities. The aim of this study was to use acoustic localizations of sperm whales to estimate a detection function for the MISTCS study area. Sperm whale acoustic encounters were post-processed using PAMGuard software to obtain "click files" that were then processed using Rainbow Click software (IFAW). Rainbow Click was used to visualize time/bearing and map displays of detected clicks and associated bearing estimates, and mark individual click trains ("events") for each encounter. Target motion analysis methods utilizing a least squares algorithm to calculate perpendicular distances to each "animal/event" were applied using custom MATLAB code that interfaced with Rainbow Click. Next, perpendicular distances and transect length data were imported into the software program Distance (6.0 release 2) to model detection functions. Models were fit for all clicks types combined, regular clicks only, and slow clicks only. Slow and regular click localizations exhibited different shapes in their distribution, likely because slow clicks have higher amplitudes and can be detected over greater ranges than regular clicks. A discussion of these results and comparisons to similar research using acoustic-based line-transect data will be presented.

Sperm whales are highly social cetaceans that live in matrilineal family units and inhabit all ocean basins from the tropics to polar regions. They produce stereotyped patterns of 3 to 40 broadband clicks, termed “codas,” that typically occur within a period of less than 3 seconds. Coda repertoires are unique for different sperm whale social units. These have been referred to as "dialects" and can be assigned to one of several larger social groups termed "vocal clans," which have been used to define sperm whale population structure. Extensive studies of vocal clans have been conducted in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP), however little is known about sperm whale coda repertoires in the western Pacific Ocean. Codas can be classified into types according to the number and temporal pattern of the clicks. Rendell and Whitehead (2003) identified five vocal clans across the ETP and south Pacific oceans. The three dominant clans are termed “regular,” “+1” and “short” based on the predominant coda type represented in the repertoire. We reviewed codas recorded from independent sperm whale groups that were acoustically and visually encountered during two marine mammal surveys in the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau regions, conducted in 2007 and 2012 respectively. Using the sperm whale click detector module and event identification modules in the acoustic processing software PAMGuard, we isolated and identified coda inter-click intervals for ten sperm whale groups from the Mariana Islands survey and three groups from the Palau survey. Three bioacousticians classified each coda to type. Codas that were not classified the same by two or more bioacousticians were excluded from further analysis. This qualitative process of identifying coda types resulted in large representation of the "regular" vocal clan. The identification of regular vocal clans within this region has implications for understanding the culturally-linked stock distribution and population structure of sperm whales in this region and across the Pacific Ocean. Several studies have evaluated the relationship between genetic variation and vocal repertoire to inform sperm whale stock management. To better understand the potential relationship between genetics and population structure of sperm whale stocks within the Pacific Ocean basin, we recommend future studies of sperm whales in the western Pacific Ocean that include genetic sampling paired with passive acoustic monitoring.

This report forms part of a multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic coast.

This report forms part of a multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. 5 Atlantic coast.

This report forms part of a multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density, and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic coast

This report summarizes the aerial survey effort conducted at the JAX site from 2009 through 2017. The monitoring project was intended to provide information on the species composition, density, and spatial distribution of marine mammals and sea turtles present in Navy’s JAX operating area (OPAREA), with particular focus on the intended site of the USWTR. These aerial surveys extended over nine years and yielded a very detailed seasonal picture of the occurrence, distribution and abundance of marine mammals and sea turtles in the region. This work also provides an important baseline against which future changes in the marine mammal and sea turtle fauna can be assessed.

This report describes results from a multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. This program began in 2007, with baseline aerial and vessel surveys and a passive acoustic monitoring program in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, and has since expanded to include study areas off Jacksonville, Florida and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

This report forms part of a multi-institutional monitoring project intended to provide information on the species composition, population identity, density and baseline behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles present in United States (U.S.) Navy range complexes along the U.S. Atlantic coast. The program began in 2007, with baseline aerial and vessel surveys and a passive acoustic monitoring program in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, and has since expanded to include study areas off Jacksonville, Florida, and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Off Cape Hatteras, four years of surveys have provided information on the complex patterns of distribution and diversity of the marine mammals and sea turtles in this highly productive area. The current report builds on this past body of work and describes activities conducted during both the Deep Divers and Satellite Tagging projects conducted off Cape Hatteras between January and December 2014. This constitutes the second year of the Deep Divers project, which focuses on the distribution and ecology of several deep-diving odontocete species, including: beaked whale (Cuvier’s beaked whale: Ziphius cavirostris and Mesoplodon spp.); short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus); and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). To achieve a more robust picture of the medium-term movement patterns of these and other odontocete cetaceans in the Cape Hatteras survey area, we began a satellite tagging project during the reporting period. Satellite tagging effort and associated sightings are presented here; preliminary analyses of movement data are available in a separate report generated by the Cascadia Research Collective (see Baird et al. 2015). All survey effort in the Cape Hatteras study site this year was dedicated to Deep Divers and Satellite Tagging projects, so we also report ongoing photographic identification work for this area in this report.

A multi-institutional marine protected species monitoring program involving aerial, vessel and acoustic surveillance techniques was implemented at the proposed Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR) offshore of Jacksonville, Florida in January 2009. Visual surveys, in conjunction with acoustic sampling methods, have been conducted to investigate cetacean and sea turtle occurrence, distribution and abundance. Through December 2012 a total of 722 aerial tracklines (60687 km) were flown, resulting in 641 cetacean sightings, encompassing 8079 individuals. Tursiops truncatus and Stenella frontalis were the most frequently encountered, followed by Grampus griseus, Globicephala macrorhynchus, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Steno bredanensis, Eubalaena glacialis, Megaptera novaeangliae, Physeter macrocephalus, and Kogia spp. Cetaceans were encountered 126 times during the 3403 km of vessel surveys, totaling 950 individuals. Sightings consisted of S. frontalis, T. truncatus, G. macrorhynchus, and G. griseus. Across all visual platforms, T. truncatus were encountered throughout the range, whereas S. frontalis, S. bredanensis, and E. glacialis were recorded exclusively in shelf waters. All other species were detected only in pelagic waters. The towed passive acoustic array was deployed during 21 vessel surveys, generating 24.2 hours of recordings, detecting all four sighted species. High frequency acoustic recording packages (HARPs) were deployed at two sites in the study area for long‐term passive acoustic monitoring. The HARP data have been analyzed for diel, seasonal, and interannual trends in cetacean occurrence. Surveys are scheduled to continue in order to asses long‐term habitat usage patterns in the USWTR.

To monitor for the presence of marine mammals, a High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) recorded within the Navy’s Virginia Capes Range Complex, offshore from Cape Hatteras (HAT), between April 2015 and January 2016. The HAT site was located approximately 75 nm offshore in about 1000 m of water.

A passive acoustic monitoring survey using mobile underwater gliders was conducted from 7 February to 31 March 2020 in the Southern California Bight, with the goal of characterizing the temporal and spatial distribution of odontocetes and mysticetes in the region. Initially, the focus of this Project was on beaked whales. However, upon recovery of the gliders post-deployment, it was discovered that neither glider recorded any useable data above 2.5 kilohertz, well below the frequency of beaked whale vocalizations. It was then decided to analyze the available data for baleen whale and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) vocalizations, which was originally a focus of secondary importance for the Project.

Cetacean distribution and abundance are reported from the first systematic line-transect visual survey in the waters of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The survey was conducted during January–April 2007 following standard line-transect protocols. Trackline coverage (11,033 km) was dominated by high sea states (88.2%); however, 13 cetacean species were recorded.

Cetacean distribution and abundance are reported from the first systematic line-transect visual survey in the waters of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The survey was conducted during January–April 2007 following standard line-transect protocols.

Underwater acoustics is a key tool for monitoring marine environments and understanding marine mammal populations. However, extracting meaningful information from passive acoustic recordings poses challenges due to overlapping signals, species-specific vocalization behavior, and missed and false detections. Many methods for marine mammal tracking and localization rely on human operators for signal detection and measurement association, which is a subjective and laborious process. In this paper we demonstrate a fully automated framework for marine mammal tracking and localization using wide-baseline arrays based on a multi-target Bayesian approach. Leveraging a “track-before-localize” strategy and fusing information from multiple sensors and virtual sensors, the framework eliminates the need for detection, classification, or association steps, thereby improving efficiency and objectivity. The feasibility and performance of the proposed framework are demonstrated using real-world data of a clicking sperm whale from the US Navy’s AUTEC test range.

Long-term implantable satellite tags provide valuable distribution and behavior information for wide-ranging large whales. Follow-up observations of whales tagged with these telemetry devices are critical in evaluating potential health effects from tagging, but are especially difficult for species with cosmopolitan distributions with the ability to travel 100+ km/day. Sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico are good subjects for such studies, in that animals can be predictability relocated year-round in areas around bathymetric features and have been tagged over a period of many years. A total of 134 Argos satellite-monitored radio tags were deployed on sperm whales from 2001 to 2013: 94 Telonics ST-15 location-only tags (1.9 cm diameter, 26.3 cm long implantable portion), 20 Wildlife Computers Spot-5 location only tags (2.1 cm diameter, 27.2 cm long implantable portion), and 20 Wildlife Computers MK-10 Advanced Dive Behavior tags (2.6 cm diameter, 24.8 cm long implantable portion). Whales were photographed at the time of tagging for identification and to assess tag application. Follow-up observations were undertaken in subsequent tagging seasons and on dedicated resighting trips. Twenty-nine whales were resighted (some up to four times in multiple years) from 1 day to 10 years after tagging. Fifteen of these had tags still attached and 28 were resighted without tags. Some whales were initially resighted with tags, but without tags on subsequent observations. Swelling occurred at two tag sites. Scars after tag loss consisted of fully re-pigmented divots (1-3 cm deep by 4-8 cm diameter). None of the resighted whales showed signs of emaciation or having other health issues, and their behavior was similar to that of untagged whales. One whale was observed with a new calf one year after tagging. These results indicate that satellite tagging poses little or no observable adverse health effects for sperm whales.

In order to support the U.S. Navy in meeting regulatory requirements for monitoring established under the Final Rules and to provide a mechanism to assist with coordination of program objectives under the ICMP, this survey was conducted to confirm the Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R) acoustic detections and marine mammal satellite tagging was prior to a training event, the Submarine Commander’s Course exercise, which would be conducted in the same area during February 2012.This report presents the methods and preliminary results of a vessel-based visual and acoustic survey effort that was conducted in conjunction with a tagging and species-validation project

The overall objective of the ICMP is to assimilate relevant data collected across U.S. Navy range complexes in order to answer questions pertaining to the impact of MFAS and explosives on marine mammals and sea turtles.

This report presents the results of the Guam and Saipan Marine Species Monitoring: Winter-Spring Survey conducted on the motor vessel (M/V) Sea Fantasy (Guam survey) and the M/V Super Emerald (Saipan survey) from 15 to 29 March 2012. The objective of the 2012 survey effort was to conduct baseline surveys to further document marine mammal and sea turtle occurrence in nearshore waters around the island of Guam and Saipan. The approach primarily followed opportunistic survey protocols used in recent surveys around Guam (Ligon et al. 2011; HDR 2011), which remained within 10 kilometers (km) or 5.4 nautical miles (NM) of the coastline.

This report presents a geographic information system (GIS)-based overview of the sighting records obtained during marine species monitoring effort (a total of 12 U.S. Pacific Fleet-funded surveys) to date in the MIRC. Also included are incidental marine mammal and sea turtle sightings made since 1965 on non-dedicated surveys in the region.

Beaked whales (Family Ziphiidae; Order Cetacea) are the least well-described group of marine mammals because they conduct very long deep dives, spend little time on the surface where they display cryptic behavior, and are difficult to identify due to the similarity between species. Beaked whales are also known to be susceptible to high-energy sound sources in the ocean (e.g. seismic research, sonars used by military activities).

Understanding unexposed/baseline behavior of marine mammals is required to assess the effects of increasing levels of anthropogenic noise exposure in the marine environment. However, quantifying variation in the baseline behavior of whales is challenging due to the fact that they spend much of their time at depth, and therefore, their diving behavior is not directly observable. Data collection employs tags as measurement devices to record vertical movement. We focus here on satellite tags, which have the advantage of collection over a time window of weeks.

This report summarizes work conducted in FY2009-FY2010 with Navy support to characterize marine mammal sounds related to passive acoustic monitoring in the Hawaii Range Complex (HRC). Existing acoustic data from the Hawaii Range Complex area were analyzed to provide better descriptions of acoustic signals by species.

Marine mammal surveys, initiated as part of the CalCOFI cruises in 2004, were continued during 2016-2017. Visual monitoring incorporated standard line-transect survey protocol which includes two experienced observers scanning for marine mammals during transits between CalCOFI stations.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted in the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex during May 2011 – March 2012 to detect the presence of marine mammal and anthropogenic sounds. Highfrequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) recorded sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz with nearly continuous temporal coverage at a site near Santa Barbara Island (site M) and at a site west of San Clemente Island (site H). Data analysis consisted of detection of sounds of interest by analyst scans of long-term spectral averages and spectrograms, and by automated computer algorithm detection when possible. Representative sounds are presented in this report, as well as details of the computer algorithms used to detect them.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted at two sites in the Navy’s Southern California Range Complex during April 2010 – April 2011. These data provide information on the presence of marine mammals and anthropogenic sound sources. High‐frequency acoustic recording packages documented sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz with nearly continuous temporal coverage at a site near Santa Barbara Island (site M) and a site south of San Clemente Island (site N). For this reporting period, 8,099 hours of acoustic recordings were obtained from site M and 7,779 hours of recordings from site N. Data analysis methods consisted of analyst scans of long‐term spectral averages and spectrograms. The data were divided into three frequency bands and each band was analyzed for the sounds of marine mammal species or anthropogenic sources. Representative sounds are presented.

This report summarizes the underwater sounds detected during a series of deployments of a High Frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) in the southern California (SOCAL) offshore region. The HARP records broadband (10 Hz – 100 kHz) acoustic data, including both marine animal and anthropogenic sound. This report summarizes initial analysis to detect the presence of marine mammals by species as well as the occurrence of naval sonar and other anthropogenic sound events.

Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted using High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) deployed in waters offshore of Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida with support from the US Navy during 2016 - 2017. The HARPs recorded underwater sounds between 10 Hz and 100 kHz. Data analysis consisted of analyst scans of long-term spectral averages (LTSAs) and spectrograms, and automated computer algorithm detection when possible. Three frequency bands were analyzed for marine mammal vocalizations and anthropogenic sounds: (1) Lowfrequency, between 10-1000 Hz, (2) Mid-frequency, between 1,000-5,000 Hz, and (3) Highfrequency, between 1-100 kHz.

This report summarizes data analysis for deployment of a High Frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) in the southern California (SOCAL) offshore region. The HARP records broadband (10 Hz – 100 kHz) acoustic data, including both marine animal and anthropogenic sound. This report summarizes initial analysis to detect the presence of marine mammals by species as well as the occurrence of naval sonar and other anthropogenic sound events.

This report summarizes the underwater sounds detected during a series of deployments of a High Frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) in the southern California (SOCAL) offshore region. The HARP records broadband (10 Hz – 100 kHz) acoustic data, including both marine animal and anthropogenic sound. This report summarizes initial analysis to detect the presence of marine mammals by species as well as the occurrence of naval sonar and other anthropogenic sound events.

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s (PIFSC) Cetacean Research Program (CRP) has conducted visual surveys for cetaceans in the waters surrounding Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) since 2010 as part of an ongoing effort to develop a record of cetacean occurrence in the region. During 24 August–9 September 2018, non-systematic visual surveys were conducted from small vessels off Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, and Guam. A total of 1,168 km of trackline was surveyed and most was in Beaufort sea states of 2–4 (73%) and swell heights of 0–4 ft (71%). Twenty cetacean groups were encountered, resulting in the collection of 6,437 photos, 33 biopsy samples, and the deployment of 5 satellite tags.

The PIFSC CRP has conducted research on cetaceans in the Mariana Archipelago since 2010. A cooperative effort with funding from U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet and PIFSC has included summer and winter small-boat surveys off the southernmost islands (Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, Rota, and Guam), development of photo-ID catalogs, analysis of collected tissue samples and satellite telemetry tag data, and shipboard visual and PAM surveys in portions of the EEZ in 2010 and 2015. PIFSC has maintained long-term PAM on moored recorders off Saipan and Tinian (since 2010) and off Pagan (since 2015) as part of the Pacific Islands Passive Acoustic Network (PIPAN). The goal of these efforts is to collect the data necessary to conduct population assessments for cetaceans within the Mariana Archipelago, including the determination of their occurrence, population structure and abundance, movements, distribution, and habitat use.

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s (PIFSC) Cetacean Research Program (CRP) has been conducting visual surveys and long-term acoustic monitoring for cetaceans in the waters surrounding Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) as part of an ongoing effort to develop a record of cetacean occurrence in the region. Visual surveys have been conducted aboard small boats (7.6-12.2 m) since 2010 off the southernmost islands of the Mariana Archipelago (Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and Aguijan). These surveys include the collection of photographs for individual identification, tissue samples for genetic analysis of population structure, and the deployment of satellite tags for assessment of individual movements throughout the broader region

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s (PIFSC) Cetacean Research Program (CRP) has been conducting visual surveys for cetaceans in the waters surrounding Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and collecting long-term passive acoustic monitoring data at two sites in CNMI as part of an ongoing effort to develop a record of cetacean occurrence in the region. Visual surveys, conducted aboard small boats (7.6 – 12.2 m), have been ongoing since 2010 off the southern Mariana Islands of Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and Aguijan. T

an effort to further develop a record of cetacean occurrence in the region, as well as to gather photos and biopsy samples and deploy satellite tags for population studies, the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center's (PIFSC) Cetacean Research Program (CRP) conducted surveys for cetaceans in the waters surrounding Guam and the CNМІ (Figure 1) during 2010-2014. This research was carried out in partnership with the U.S. Navy and is expected to continue through 2015. Detailed reports for each survey year were submitted to the Navy (Oleson and Hill 2010, Ligon et al. 2011, Hill et al. 2012, Hill et al. 2013).

e Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s (PIFSC) Cetacean Research Program (CRP) conducted surveys for cetaceans in the waters surrounding Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in an effort to further develop a record of cetacean occurrence in the region.1 This was the fourth year conducting cetacean surveys aboard small boats (7.6 – 12.2 m) around the southern Mariana Islands of Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and Aguijan (Fig. 1). This project was carried out in partnership with the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet by a team of four primary personnel (Table 1). The collected data are being used to reveal the occurrence and distribution, stock structure, and movements of cetaceans within the study area.

Goals: Understand species occurrence and distribution. Determine the population structure and abundance of the those species. Study the movements and habitat use of individuals and populations. Methods: Small boat-based and ship-based surveys. Passive acoustic recordings (HARPs & towed array). Photo-ID, biopsy sampling, and satellite tagging.

A High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP; Wiggins and Hildebrand 2007) was deployed between July 2010 and June 2011 in Onslow Bay at Site A in 171 m. This HARP sampled at 200 kHz for 5 minutes of every 10 minutes and recorded for 216 days between 30 July 2010 and 3 March 2011. Long-Term Spectral Averages (LTSAs) were created for two frequency bands (10 Hz – 1000 Hz and 1 kHz – 100 kHz) and scanned for marine mammal vocalizations. Calls of blue whales, fin whales, minke whales, North Atlantic right whales, possible sei whales, Kogia spp., Risso’s dolphins, sperm whales, and unidentified delphinids were detected in the data.

A High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP; Wiggins and Hildebrand 2007) was deployed between October 2012 and August 2013 in Onslow Bay at Site E in 853 m. This HARP sampled at 200 kHz for 5 minutes of every 10 minutes and recorded for 250 days between 24 October 2012 and 30 June 2013. Long-Term Spectral Averages (LTSAs) were created for three frequency bands (10 Hz – 1000 Hz, 500 Hz – 5000 Hz, and 1 kHz – 100 kHz) and scanned for marine mammal vocalizations. Calls of blue whales, fin whales, minke whales, possible sei whales, Blainville’s beaked whales, Cuvier’s beaked whales, Gervais’ beaked whales, Kogia spp., Risso’s dolphins, sperm whales, and unidentified odontocetes and mysticetes were detected in the data.

A High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP; Wiggins and Hildebrand 2007) was deployed between March and October 2012 in the Cape Hatteras survey area at Site A in approximately 950 m. This HARP sampled continuously at 200 kHz and recorded for 28 days between 15 March 2012 and 11 April 2012. Long-Term Spectral Averages (LTSAs) were created for two frequency bands (10 Hz – 1000 Hz and 1 kHz – 100 kHz) and scanned for marine mammal vocalizations. Calls of fin whales, minke whales, beaked whales, Kogia spp., Risso’s dolphins, sperm whales, and unidentified delphinids were detected in the data.

A High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP; Wiggins and Hildebrand 2007) was deployed between October 2007 and May 2008 in Onslow Bay at Site A in 162 m. This HARP sampled at 200 kHz for 5 minutes of every 10 minutes, with the exception of the period from January 1 – 16, 2008, when it recorded continuously due to an instrumentation malfunction, and recorded for 98 days between 10 October 2007 and 16 January 2008. Long-Term Spectral Averages (LTSAs) were created for two frequency bands (10 Hz – 1000 Hz and 1 kHz – 100 kHz) and scanned for marine mammal vocalizations. Calls of blue whales, fin whales, minke whales, possible sei whales, Kogia spp., Risso’s dolphins, sperm whales, and unidentified delphinids were detected in the data.