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Behavioural and physiological responses of marine mammals to acoustic disturbance

Cel



The objectives of this project are to measure the short term effects of acoustic technologies on marine mammals and to understand their likely long term effects. This will be done by monitoring behaviour and physiology of marine mammals as they swim freely at sea under normal conditions as well as during periods with experimentally applied acoustic stimuli.
We have developed techniques which allow us to follow seals closely by boat, and monitor their heart rate and behavioural responses. Frightened seals show a profound change in heart rate that drops to very low levels after a sudden disturbance. Other aspects of diving behaviour and foraging success may also alter under the same conditions. We will monitoring changes in heart rate, swimming behaviour, and stomach temperature in real time in response to acoustic stimuli and examine the consequences of these in terms of foraging success.

We will use the real time tracking and monitoring techniques described above in conjunction with experimentally applied seismic survey and fishing sonar techniques to determine effects of these acoustic stimuli on seals. In addition we will use passive acoustic techniques to determine the responses of harbour porpoises, to the same acoustic stimuli.

Monitoring of seals and harbour porpoise will be done before, during and after application of acoustic stimuli. The results should enable us to assess the effects of a variety of acoustic technologies and help in formulating codes of practice for their use in areas where marine mammals may be particularly vulnerable.

Zaproszenie do składania wniosków

Data not available

System finansowania

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Koordynator

NERC British Antarctic Survey
Wkład UE
Brak danych
Adres
High Cross Madingley Road
CB3 0ET Cambridge
Zjednoczone Królestwo

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Koszt całkowity
Brak danych

Uczestnicy (3)