Behavioural Responses of Fin Whales to Military Mid-Frequency Active Sonar
December 01, 2023
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