More details Collapse details
Date Published:
  • July 1, 2025

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).

Filesize:
  • 1,136.54 KB
Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
More details Collapse details
Date Published:
  • June 1, 2014

This report summarizes information from 24 U.S. Navy-funded aerial surveys of pinniped haulout sites in the inland waters of Washington State conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Filesize:
  • 2,946.44 KB
Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
More details Collapse details
Date Published:
  • April 1, 2014

During this survey, the visual team surveyed 4,504 kilometers (km) of ‘full-effort,’ which included 349 km of ‘transit-effort.’ There was an additional 375 km of ‘fog-effort’ (transect and transit). Based on total effort, there were 802 sightings (1,998 individuals) of 13 confirmed marine mammal species, with an additional 162 sightings (228 individuals) of unidentified cetaceans and pinnipeds (including those recorded on transit and during off-effort mode).

Filesize:
  • 12,416.19 KB
Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
More details Collapse details
Date Published:
  • August 5, 2009

Aerial surveys were conducted in conjunction with two US Navy (Navy) Major Training Events (MTE) involving mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) and explosives in October (Oct) and mid-November (Nov) 2008 in the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) off San Diego, California. The purpose of this survey was to monitor potential effects or lack of observable effects of MFAS and explosives on mammals and sea turtles (MM/ST) during a MTE from 17-21 Oct and beginning one day after a MTE from 15-18 Nov.

Filesize:
  • 4,083.50 KB
Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
More details Collapse details
Date Published:
  • August 6, 2025

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), NOAA Fisheries, with support from the U.S. Navy, conducted line transect surveys in Behm Canal and adjacent areas in the spring of 2023 and fall of 2024 to obtain estimates of density and abundance of cetaceans and information on marine mammal distribution and occurrence.

Filesize:
  • 9,210.00 KB
Ocean:Region:Species:Methods:
Current
Acoustic Ecology of Northwest Atlantic Shelf Break Cetaceans and Effects of Anthropogenic Noise Impacts
Project Objectives
Assess the acoustic niche of marine mammal species and anthropogenic contributors to disturbance
View project
Current
Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon Monitoring in the Lower Kennebec River
Project Objectives
Assess Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon seasonal occurrence, migration, and overwintering
View project
Current
Atlantic Behavioral Response Study
Project Objectives
Assess behavioral response of beaked and pilot whales to mid-frequency tactical sonar
View project
Current
Behavioral Response Analysis of Two Populations of Short-Finned Pilot Whales to Mid-Frequency Active Sonar
Project Objectives
Utilize newly developed statistical methods from the Atlantic BRS project and apply them to all the satellite-tagged pilot whales from both the Atlantic and Pacific studies.
View project
Current
Coral survey at Farallon de Medinilla
Project Objectives
Assess presence and status of ESA-listed corals at FDM
View project
Current
Distribution of Gulf Sturgeon in the Panama City Testing Range
Project Objectives
Assess Gulf Sturgeon distribution and habitat use through a multi-phase biotelemetry approach
View project
Current
Estimation of Received Levels of MFAS and Behavioral Response of Marine Mammals at PMRF
Project Objectives
Further our understanding of the Monitoring Questions: 1) What is the occurrence and estimated received levels of MFAS on 'blackfish', humpback, minke, sperm and Blainville's beaked whales within the PMRF instrumented range? and 2) What, if any, are the short term behavioral responses of 'blackfish,' humpback, minke, sperm and Blainville's beaked whales when exposed to MFAS/explosions at different levels/conditions at PMRF?
View project
Current
Goose-Beaked Whale and Fin Whale Population Dynamics and Impact Assessment at the Southern California Offshore Antisubmarine Warfare Range (SOAR)
Project Objectives
Improve knowledge of baseline population demographics, vital rates, and movement patterns of Cuvier’s beaked whales and fin whales. Examine what, if any, short term behavioral and/or vocal responses occur when exposed to sonar or explosions at different levels and conditions. Determine if exposure to sonar or explosives impact the long term fitness and survival of individuals or the population, species, or stock
View project
Current
Green and Kemp's Ridley Turtle Tagging for Availability Bias Estimates
Project Objectives
Assess availability bias and habitat associations of endangered Kemp’s ridley and threatened green sea turtles to improve spatial density models
View project
Current
Gulf of Alaska Acoustic Moorings and Analysis
Project Objectives
Conduct systematic line transect survey for marine mammals for density estimates; conduct survey to determine ecotype identity of killer whales; analyze existing and newly collected data for seasonal occurrence, abundance, and density of cetacean
View project
Current
Haul-Out Counts and Photo-Identification of Pinnipeds in Virginia
Project Objectives
Document seasonal occurrence, habitat use, and haul-out patterns of seals
View project
Current
Jacksonville Shallow Water Training Range Vessel Surveys and M3R Species Verifications
Project Objectives
Monitor species composition and distribution on JSWTR, support M3R species verifications
View project
Current
Long Term Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals Utilizing the Instrumented Range at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF)
Project Objectives
Improve understanding of the long term trends in occurrence of marine mammals (e.g., minke, humpback, fin, Bryde's, Blainville's) on the PMRF range. Examine what, if any, acoustic and physical behavioral responses occur to Navy activities.
View project
Current
Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R)
Project Objectives
Improve understanding of the long term trends in occurrence of marine mammals on the PMRF and SOAR ranges.
View project
Current
Marine Mammal Sightings During CalCOFI Cruises
Project Objectives
Determine what species and populations of marine mammals are present in Southern California and estimate the abundance and density across seasons
View project
Current
Mid-Atlantic Nearshore & Mid-shelf Baleen Whale Monitoring
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, habitat use, and baseline behavior of baleen whales in the mid-Atlantic region
View project
Current
Mid-Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Study
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, habitat use, and baseline behavior of cetaceans in the offshore and continental shelf break region of the VACAPES OPAREA
View project
Current
Monitoring Cetaceans in Hood Canal
Project Objectives
This 12‑month integrated pilot project combines three complementary components: (A) shore‑based theodolite monitoring of harbor porpoises, (B) high‑bandwidth passive acoustic monitoring and soundscape characterization, and (C) suction‑cup multi‑sensor tag deployments on Bigg’s (transient) killer whales. Together, these data streams will quantify occurrence, movement, diving, and behavioral context for these two key species in relation to the local soundscape—including operational signals near the Dabob Bay Range Complex (DBRC) and the Bangor Trident Base. Results can provide an empirical foundation and inform the study design of future cetacean behavioral response studies (BRS) in Hood Canal.
View project
Current
North Atlantic Right Whale Monitoring, Conservation, and Protection
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence, habitat use, and behavior of North Atlantic right whales in the mid-Atlantic region
View project
Current
North Pacific Marine Mammal Species Distribution
Project Objectives
Develop a North Pacific-wide species distribution model for cetaceans
View project
Current
Occurrence of Rice's Whale in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Project Objectives
Assess occurrence and distribution of Rice's whale throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico
View project
Current
Pacific Islands Comprehensive Stranding Investigations
Project Objectives
Conduct comprehensive investigations of stranded marine mammals throughout the Pacific Islands with emphasis on the Hawaiian and Mariana Island chains. This includes conducting necropsies of stranded animals, collecting and archiving samples, conducting disease screening, genetic testing, and analysis of historical data. The objective is to examine stranding patterns and causes of death for marine mammals in the Pacific Islands.
View project
Current
Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (PACMAPPS) survey
Project Objectives
Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the surveyed areas; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in offshore waters; Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.
View project
Current
Passive Acoustic Monitoring for Mid-Atlantic Baleen Whales
Project Objectives
Monitor large whale occurrence in the Mid-Atlantic
View project
Current
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Harbor Porpoises in Hood Canal
Project Objectives
This project was jointly funded through NAVSEA and the NUWC Keyport NISE program to address the Navy’s need for multi-year data on harbor porpoise occurrence and spatiotemporal distribution patterns in Hood Canal using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM).
View project
Current
Pilot Project to Assess Feasibility of Multi-Sensor Tagging of Rough-Toothed Dolphins at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF)
Project Objectives
Determine feasibility and efficacy of deploying high resolution multi-sensor tags on rough-toothed dolphins at PMRF and determine how collected data can be used to move toward a better understanding of the effects of Navy activities, ultimately leading to PCoD modelling.
View project
Current
Salmonid and Southern Resident Killer Whale Distribution in the Pacific Northwest
Project Objectives
1) Determine the occurrence of bull trout within and near the boundaries of the NWTT; 2) Determine the spatiotemporal occurrence of killer whale and baleen whale in the NWTT; 3) Characterize the occurrence of endangered fish species within the NWTT
View project
Current
Southern California Beaked Whale Occurrence (formerly "Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals in Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL)")
Project Objectives
Determine the distribution and temporal patterns of beaked whale occurrence in the waters within and outside the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL). Use passive acoustic monitoring to determine what species are present in SOCAL and examine spatial and temporal patterns.
View project
Current
Telemetry and Genetic Identity of Chinook Salmon in Alaska
Project Objectives
To use a combination of pop-up satellite technology and salmon genetics to provide critical information on Chinook salmon spatial and temporal distribution in the Gulf of Alaska and along the Washington coast to inform salmon management and U.S. Navy training activities. The study seeks to 1) determine the occurrence, timing, and specific run of Chinook salmon through genetics within the Navy training areas; 2) describe the influence of environmental covariates on Chinook salmon occurrence; and 3) improve the understanding of run-specific timing and geographical occurrence of Chinook salmon as the prey of Southern Resident killer whales in Washington.
View project
Current
Time-lapse Camera Surveys of Pinnipeds in Southeastern Virginia
Project Objectives
Document seasonal occurrence, habitat use, and haul-out patterns of seals
View project
Current
Visual Survey and Tagging of Hawaiian Odontocetes
Project Objectives
(1) define the spatial movement and habitat use patterns of species that are exposed to mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar (2) determine how these patterns influence exposure and potential responses
View project
No related blog posts to display
No related presentations or posters to display