Co-occurrence of beaked whale strandings and naval sonar in the Mariana Islands, Western Pacific.

摘要: Mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS), used for antisubmarine warfare (ASW), has been associated with multiple beaked whale (BW) mass stranding events. Multinational naval ASW exercises have MFAS offshore of the Mariana Archipelago semi-annually since 2006. We report BW and acoustic activity near islands Saipan Tinian from March 2010 to November 2014. Signals Cuvier's (Ziphius cavirostris) Blainville's whales (Mesoplodon densirostris), a third unidentified species, were detected throughout recording period. Both recorders documented on 21 August 2011 before two stranded 22-23 2011. compared history known operations strandings consider potential threats populations. Eight events between June 2006 January 2019 each included one three animals. Half these occurred during or within 6 days after activities, this co-occurrence is highly significant. highlight individual BWs can be ASW, emphasize value ongoing passive monitoring, especially that are difficult visually detect at sea. strongly recommend more visual monitoring efforts, sea along coastlines, cetaceans before, exercises.