BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF SUMMERING HUMPBACK WHALES TO VESSEL TRAFFIC: EXPERIMENTS AND OPPORTUNISTIC OBSERVATIONS

The behavior of humpback whales summering in southeastern Alaska was observed in the presence and absence of vessel traffic. During the first study year (1981), small and medium-sized vessels were directed to operate within 400 m of whales according to an experimental plan. The second study year (1982) concentrated on observations of generally greater than 400 m. Whales showed predictable behavior responses to vessels operating at distances of less than 4,000 m. Changes in whale behavior were correlated with the speed, size, distance, and numbers of vessels within the proximity.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Hawaii, Manoa

  Kewolo Basin Marine Laboratory, 2540 Dole Street
  Honolulu, HI  United States  96822
• Authors:
  • BAKER, C S
  • Herman, L M
• Publication Date: 1989-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 59 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animals; Ecology; Marine biology; Psychological tests; Seas; Ships
• Uncontrolled Terms: Whales
• Geographic Terms: Alaska
• Old TRIS Terms: Behavioral tests; Marine atmospheres; Marine organisms
• Subject Areas: Highways; Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497071
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NPS/NR/TRS-89/01
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM