Scientists Join Forces to Examine the Interactions of Sea Mammals
SOCAL-10 Marine Mammal Study Reveals Important Insights
The SOCAL-10 marine mammal study, a significant research project funded by the U.S. Navy and coordinated with NOAA, recently concluded off the Southern California coast. The project, spanning two months, aimed to understand marine mammal behavior and responses to sounds in the ocean.
More than 50 acoustic, dive, and location-orienting sensors were attached to individuals of seven different marine mammal species during the project. These sensors monitored animals' reactions to controlled sound exposures, providing a more clear and objective way to assess reactions to specific types of sound.
SOCAL-10 involved tagging, tracking, and acoustic experiments on nine different marine mammal species. The project conducted 28 controlled sound exposure experiments and collected nearly 400 hours of tag data, thousands of marine mammal observations, and photographs.
One of the project's key achievements was the first-ever controlled sound exposure experiment with a Cuvier's beaked whale during the second phase. Additionally, the first-ever successful acoustic tag and exposure study on a Risso's dolphin was also conducted during this period. Deployments of tags on sei and Baird's beaked whales were the first of their kind on the U.S. West Coast and will provide critical data about the movement and behavior of these little-known species.
The project focused on offshore species including beaked whales, sperm whales, and Risso's dolphins in the second experimental phase. It also included studies on large whales like blue, fin, and sperm whales, as well as smaller cetacean species.
SOCAL-10 is the first project to measure marine mammal response to military sonar sounds associated with previous stranding events. The project was led by Brandon Southall and John Calambokidis, with scientists from several institutions including SEA, Cascadia Research, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, NOAA, Duke University, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and SPAWAR Systems Pacific. John Hildebrand, from our organization, served as the Chief Scientist of R/V Sproul.
Contact information for SOCAL-10 project leads is available: Brandon Southall ([email protected], 831-332-8744) and John Calambokidis ([email protected], 360-280-8349).
Preliminary results from SOCAL-10 suggest variable responses by species, behavioral state, and type of sound. While the recent search results do not explicitly discuss SOCAL-10, they point to ongoing marine mammal research that relies on advanced modeling of species distribution and behavior to assess human impacts such as sonar and other ocean uses.
The impact of the SOCAL-10 findings was significant in guiding the U.S. Navy to adopt stricter sonar operation protocols to minimize harm to marine mammals during training exercises in Southern California waters. The project aims to contribute to understanding biologically important areas, marine mammal diving and communication, and the impact of Navy activities on them.
The SOCAL-10 marine mammal study, conducted off the Southern California coast, expanded into health-and-wellness research by focusing on the effects of specific sounds on marine mammals, such as the first-ever controlled sound exposure experiment with a Cuvier's beaked whale. This groundbreaking study also aimed to advance science through understanding marine mammal behavior and responses, contributing to the protection of these species and their habitats.
Preliminary results from SOCAL-10 suggest that the impacts of navy sonar sounds on marine mammals could be mitigated through the adoption of stricter sonar operation protocols, therefore promoting healthy marine ecosystems and adhering to principles of science and health-and-wellness.
