Distribution, Abundance and Population Structuring of Beaked Whales in the Great Bahama Canyon, Northern Bahamas.

摘要

Atypical mass strandings and behavioral responses of beaked whales have been correlated with naval sonar (e.g. Simmonds and Lopez-Juraco 1991; Frantzis 1998; Evans and England 2001, Cox et al. 2006, Tyack et al. 2011), highlighting a need for a fuller understanding of beaked whale population ecology. This project is filling key data gaps on the distribution, abundance, and population structuring of beaked whales in the Great Bahama Canyon. The study area includes (1) the US Navy's Andros-AUTEC Operating Areas where fleet readiness training involves regular use of mid-frequency active sonars and (2) coastal waters off southwest Abaco Island where data exist from a 15-year photoidentification study, and where the March 15th, 2000 stranding occurred.