Responses of humpback whales to sonar sounds

摘要: Controlled sound playback experiments were used to assess effects of a low‐frequency sonar system on humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, in Hawaiian waters. Focal pods presented with sounds 3.3‐kHz pulse, frequency sweep from 3.1 3.6 kHz, or control (blank) tape. Behavior, movement, and underwater vocalizations monitored compared baseline periods. While the two types signals differed their both elicited avoidance behaviors. Humpbacks responded pulse by increasing distance source. The strength this effect varied directly time. Responses primarily consisted increased swimming speeds track linearity. latter was direct function intensity. Overall, did not strongly consistently affect whales’ dive cycles vocalizations. Observed reactions may have resulted possible resemblance between natural humpbacks’ environment that are associated biological threats warnings.