The first season of the minke whale hearing project has come to a close

Researchers call the experiment a success, even though no hearing tests were performed this summer.

In june 2021 a team of scientist visited Lofoten to examine the hearing sensitivity of baleen whales. The team will return for new field efforts in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

– Our main objective this season was demonstrating the proof-of-concept that the system for catching and releasing whales would work, says Petter Kvadsheim of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).

The SOST minke whale hearing project is conducted to find out the hearing sensitivity of baleen whales. 

– This will give us a critical piece of information required to manage the impact of human-caused ocean noise on these large whales, says Dorian Houser from The National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF).

Catch and release site for minke whales in Lofoten 2021.
The catch and release site consists of nets used to guide the whales into a basin that can be sealed once entered. Photo: Espen Wang-Naveen / FFI

 

Proof-of-concept

The field effort this year lasted from may 31. until june 25. Almost half of the season was used to set up and optimize the catch and release system, which consisted of a system of nets used to guide the whales into a basin that could be sealed once entered. Nearly 1.7 km of netting weighing more than 20 tons were deployed.

Victoria Vinje, Dr. Dorian Houser and Dr. Petter Kvadsheim scouting for incoming minke whales from Æsøya in Lofoten.
Office with a view. Victoria Vinje, Dr. Dorian Houser and Dr. Petter Kvadsheim scouting for incoming minke whales from Æsøya in Lofoten. Photo: Espen Hofoss / FFI

The team observed twenty whales in the area during the month of setup and operation. Three whales entered the catch basin prior to completion of the catch and release (C&R) site. Three others entered the basin after the team completed the C&R site and entered “catch” mode. Two of these were caught, demonstrating the utility of the catch and release system, but no hearing tests were performed this year.

Will continue next year

The team will return to Lofoten for new field efforts in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Houser and Kvadsheim look forward to next year when nearly all of the field effort will be on temporarily catching the whales and testing their hearing. The method used will be similar to what we use for testing hearing in infants.

– The hearing information will be the first ever for any baleen whale and will have important consequences to managing the impact of ocean noise to baleen whales, says Dorian Houser.

The experiment is sponsored by Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST), and is financed by the US government.

Minke whale coming up for air.
So close, yet so far away. The team observed 20 whales during the field effort. This minke whale showed up on thursday june 24, but turned around at the entrance of the testing basin.

 

Whales