Madhusudhana, Shyam Kumar,Chakraborty, Bishwajit,Latha, G.
Humpback whale singing activity off the Goan coast in the Eastern Arabian Sea Journal Article
In: Bioacoustics, no. 147, pp. 1-16, 2018, ISBN: 0952-4622.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, breeding, Goa, Humpback Whale, India, Megaptera novaeanglia, PAM, passive acoustic monitoring, song, vocal behaviour
@article{,
title = {Humpback whale singing activity off the Goan coast in the Eastern Arabian Sea},
author = {Madhusudhana, Shyam Kumar,Chakraborty, Bishwajit,Latha, G.},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2018.1458248},
issn = {0952-4622},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Bioacoustics},
number = {147},
pages = {1-16},
publisher = {Taylor & Francis},
abstract = {AbstractFor over two decades, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) methods have been successfully employed around the world for studying aquatic megafauna. PAM-driven studies in Indian waters have so far been relatively very scarce. Furthermore, cetacean populations inhabiting the north western Indian Ocean are far less studied than those in many other regions around the world. This work likely constitutes the first systematic study of the vocal repertoire of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) at a near-shore site along the western coast of India. Analysis of the observed vocalizations provides an insight into the behaviour of the species. This is significant as it assists in developing a better understanding of the habitat use of the non-migratory Arabian Sea humpback whale population. In contrast, other breeding populations such as those around the North Atlantic, South Pacific and Australia have been relatively well studied. Underwater passive acoustic data were collected during March 2017 using an autonomous logger at a shallow-water site off the eastern edge of Grande Island off the coast of Goa. Humpback whale vocalizations were found to occur over multiple days in the recordings. Time?frequency contours of individual units of vocalization were extracted with the aid of an automatic detection technique and the characteristics of the units were measured. Further, successive units were analysed for formation of phrases and themes. Reconstruction of putative songs from the identified units and themes was not possible due to the limitations imposed by the nature of data collection. Detailed analyses of units, phrases and themes are presented.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, breeding, Goa, Humpback Whale, India, Megaptera novaeanglia, PAM, passive acoustic monitoring, song, vocal behaviour},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
AbstractFor over two decades, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) methods have been successfully employed around the world for studying aquatic megafauna. PAM-driven studies in Indian waters have so far been relatively very scarce. Furthermore, cetacean populations inhabiting the north western Indian Ocean are far less studied than those in many other regions around the world. This work likely constitutes the first systematic study of the vocal repertoire of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) at a near-shore site along the western coast of India. Analysis of the observed vocalizations provides an insight into the behaviour of the species. This is significant as it assists in developing a better understanding of the habitat use of the non-migratory Arabian Sea humpback whale population. In contrast, other breeding populations such as those around the North Atlantic, South Pacific and Australia have been relatively well studied. Underwater passive acoustic data were collected during March 2017 using an autonomous logger at a shallow-water site off the eastern edge of Grande Island off the coast of Goa. Humpback whale vocalizations were found to occur over multiple days in the recordings. Time?frequency contours of individual units of vocalization were extracted with the aid of an automatic detection technique and the characteristics of the units were measured. Further, successive units were analysed for formation of phrases and themes. Reconstruction of putative songs from the identified units and themes was not possible due to the limitations imposed by the nature of data collection. Detailed analyses of units, phrases and themes are presented.
Baldwin, R.,Collins, T.J.Q.,Minton, G.,Willson, A.,Corkeron, P.
Arabian Sea humpback whales 2011 update: resights, bubble feeding and hotspots Journal Article
In: Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, vol. SC/54/O4, no. 23, pp. 5, 2011.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, blue whales, breeding, feeding, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, photo identification, sperm whales
@article{,
title = {Arabian Sea humpback whales 2011 update: resights, bubble feeding and hotspots},
author = {Baldwin, R.,Collins, T.J.Q.,Minton, G.,Willson, A.,Corkeron, P.},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
volume = {SC/54/O4},
number = {23},
pages = {5},
abstract = {The 2010 report of the Scientific Committee (IWC/62/Rep 1) expressed grave concern for the resident ‘Arabian
Sea humpback whale population’. The Committee made strong recommendations for additional research to
monitor the status of this Endangered population which has a restricted range, is reproductively isolated, has a
very small population size (n=82 (95% CI=60-111)) and is known to interact with humans with negative
consequences. A survey during March 2011 resulted in 47 sightings of humpback whales representing
approximately12 individuals. Sightings included a mother-calf pair, observation of competitive behaviour and
frequent feeding including use of ‘bubble cloud’ and ‘bubble net’ structures, all of which have been rarely
witnessed in Oman on previous surveys. At least three known individuals were identified, among them those that
have been re-sighted as many as four times previously and those that have been previously photographed at the
same location. Song was recorded on numerous occasions from the survey vessel and one Cornell MARU was
deployed resulting in acquisition of over 20 days of continuous recordings which are undergoing analysis.
Threats from fishing activity, coastal development and vessel traffic were documented, and an apparent attack on
a humpback whale by false killer whales was witnessed. Numerous other cetacean species were recorded,
including other large whales (blue whales, Bryde’s whales and sperm whales – all with calves – and numerous
small cetaceans). The majority of sightings were clustered around Ras Hasik and all feeding behaviour, including
that by humpback, blue and Bryde’s whales occurred within 2-3 kilometers of this apparent ‘hotspot’. Further
research is recommended which may be best determined via the Conservation Management Planning process.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, blue whales, breeding, feeding, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, photo identification, sperm whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The 2010 report of the Scientific Committee (IWC/62/Rep 1) expressed grave concern for the resident ‘Arabian
Sea humpback whale population’. The Committee made strong recommendations for additional research to
monitor the status of this Endangered population which has a restricted range, is reproductively isolated, has a
very small population size (n=82 (95% CI=60-111)) and is known to interact with humans with negative
consequences. A survey during March 2011 resulted in 47 sightings of humpback whales representing
approximately12 individuals. Sightings included a mother-calf pair, observation of competitive behaviour and
frequent feeding including use of ‘bubble cloud’ and ‘bubble net’ structures, all of which have been rarely
witnessed in Oman on previous surveys. At least three known individuals were identified, among them those that
have been re-sighted as many as four times previously and those that have been previously photographed at the
same location. Song was recorded on numerous occasions from the survey vessel and one Cornell MARU was
deployed resulting in acquisition of over 20 days of continuous recordings which are undergoing analysis.
Threats from fishing activity, coastal development and vessel traffic were documented, and an apparent attack on
a humpback whale by false killer whales was witnessed. Numerous other cetacean species were recorded,
including other large whales (blue whales, Bryde’s whales and sperm whales – all with calves – and numerous
small cetaceans). The majority of sightings were clustered around Ras Hasik and all feeding behaviour, including
that by humpback, blue and Bryde’s whales occurred within 2-3 kilometers of this apparent ‘hotspot’. Further
research is recommended which may be best determined via the Conservation Management Planning process.
Sea humpback whale population’. The Committee made strong recommendations for additional research to
monitor the status of this Endangered population which has a restricted range, is reproductively isolated, has a
very small population size (n=82 (95% CI=60-111)) and is known to interact with humans with negative
consequences. A survey during March 2011 resulted in 47 sightings of humpback whales representing
approximately12 individuals. Sightings included a mother-calf pair, observation of competitive behaviour and
frequent feeding including use of ‘bubble cloud’ and ‘bubble net’ structures, all of which have been rarely
witnessed in Oman on previous surveys. At least three known individuals were identified, among them those that
have been re-sighted as many as four times previously and those that have been previously photographed at the
same location. Song was recorded on numerous occasions from the survey vessel and one Cornell MARU was
deployed resulting in acquisition of over 20 days of continuous recordings which are undergoing analysis.
Threats from fishing activity, coastal development and vessel traffic were documented, and an apparent attack on
a humpback whale by false killer whales was witnessed. Numerous other cetacean species were recorded,
including other large whales (blue whales, Bryde’s whales and sperm whales – all with calves – and numerous
small cetaceans). The majority of sightings were clustered around Ras Hasik and all feeding behaviour, including
that by humpback, blue and Bryde’s whales occurred within 2-3 kilometers of this apparent ‘hotspot’. Further
research is recommended which may be best determined via the Conservation Management Planning process.