Behavioural Responses of Fin Whales to Military Mid-Frequency Active Sonar
Quantifying the factors influencing marine mammal responses to sonar, critical in assessing and mitigating future impacts.
The effect of active sonars on marine mammal behaviour is a topic of considerable interest and scientific investigation. Some whales, including the largest species (blue whales, Balaenoptera musculus), can be impacted by mid-frequency (1–10 kHz) military sonars. Here we apply complementary experimental methods to provide the first experimentally controlled measurements of behavioural responses to military sonar and similar stimuli for a related endangered species, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus).
Southall BL, Allen A, et al 2023. Behavioural responses of fin whales to military mid-frequency active sonar .R. Soc. Open Sci.10:231775.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231775