ABSTRACT LONG-TERM GOALS The DTAG was originally developed to record an animal's response... more ABSTRACT LONG-TERM GOALS The DTAG was originally developed to record an animal's responses to acoustic stimuli, such as naval sonar signals, and the traditional method for deploying these non invasive (suction cup) tags on large and mid-sized cetaceans has been to use long carbon fiber poles (Moore et al. 2001, Johnson and Tyack 2003). This technique works well with some of the large whales, but some mid-sized cetaceans (e.g., beaked whales, minke whales) tend to be quicker, more maneuverable, and elusive, making pole tagging rather inefficient (Johnson and Tyack 2003). The goal of this project was to develop a system that launches the DTAG through the air using a pneumatic launcher (Aerial Rocket Tag System, or ARTS), in order to extend the tagging range and thus increase tag deployment rate. A preliminary version of the ARTS-DTAG system has already proven to have potential in improving tagging efficiency, particularly with "difficult" whale species (Kvadsheim et al. 2009). However, this system needed improvement in several areas to become operational. This project included redesign of the ARTS-DTAG system compared to the 2009 version and an extensive test program, including ballistic testing in the lab, at sea testing on a floating dummy whale and a field trial with tag deployments on minke and pilot whales. Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America, 2016
The time and energetic costs of behavioral responses to incidental and experimental sonar exposur... more The time and energetic costs of behavioral responses to incidental and experimental sonar exposures, as well as control stimuli, were quantified using hidden state analysis of time series of acoustic and movement data recorded by tags (DTAG) attached to 12 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) using suction cups. Behavioral state transition modeling showed that tagged whales switched to a non-foraging, non-resting state during both experimental transmissions of low-frequency active sonar from an approaching vessel (LFAS; 1-2 kHz, source level 214 dB re 1 µPa m, four tag records) and playbacks of potential predator (killer whale, Orcinus orca) sounds broadcast at naturally occurring sound levels as a positive control from a drifting boat (five tag records). Time spent in foraging states and the probability of prey capture attempts were reduced during these two types of exposures with little change in overall locomotion activity, suggesting an effect on energy intake with no immediate...
Heat flux models have been used to predict metabolic rates of marine mammals, generally by estima... more Heat flux models have been used to predict metabolic rates of marine mammals, generally by estimating conductive heat transfer through their blubber layer. Recently, Kvadsheim et al. (1997) found that such models tend to overestimate metabolic rates, and that such errors probably result from the asymmetrical distribution of blubber. This problem may be avoided if reliable estimates of heat flux through the skin of the animals are obtained by using models that combine calculations of conductive heat flux through the skin and fur, and convective heat flux from the surface of the animal to the environment. We evaluated this approach based on simultaneous measurements of metabolic rates and of input parameters necessary for heat flux calculations, as obtained from four harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) resting in cold water. Heat flux estimates were made using two free convection models (double-flat-plate and cylindrical geometry) and one forced convection model (single-flat-plate geometry). We found that heat flux estimates generally underestimated metabolic rates, on average by 26-58%, and that small variations in input parameters caused large variations in these estimates. We conclude that cutaneous heat flux models are too inaccurate and sensitive to small errors in input parameters to provide reliable estimates of metabolic rates of marine mammals.
American Institute of Physics Conference Series, Nov 18, 2004
A study of the effects of active sonar transmissions on fish and marine mammals in Norwegian wate... more A study of the effects of active sonar transmissions on fish and marine mammals in Norwegian waters has been launched following the ordering of new frigates by the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN). The frigates will be equipped with active sonars operating at lower frequencies than those of the sonars currently in operation in the RNoN. Lower frequency sonar transmissions are believed to be potentially more harmful to marine life than higher frequency transmissions. The objective of the study is to acquire knowledge about the effects of active sonar on marine life, and produce a set of recommended rules for naval sonar operations in Norwegian waters based on scientific grounds.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2016
Ramp-up procedures are used to mitigate the impact of sound on marine mammals. Sound exposure mod... more Ramp-up procedures are used to mitigate the impact of sound on marine mammals. Sound exposure models combined with observations of marine mammals responding to sound can be used to assess the effectiveness of ramp-up procedures. We found that ramp-up procedures before full-level sonar operations can reduce the risk of hearing threshold shifts with marine mammals, but their effectiveness depends strongly on the responsiveness of the animals. In this paper, we investigated the effect of sonar parameters (source level, pulse-repetition time, ship speed) on sound exposure by using a simple analytical model and highlight the mechanisms that limit the effectiveness of ramp-up procedures.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2016
Effects of noise on fish populations may be predicted by the population consequence of acoustic d... more Effects of noise on fish populations may be predicted by the population consequence of acoustic disturbance (PCAD) model. We have predicted the potential risk of population disturbance when the highest sound exposure level (SEL) at which adult herring do not respond to naval sonar (SEL0) is exceeded. When the population density is low (feeding), the risk is low even at high sonar source levels and long-duration exercises (>24 h). With densely packed populations (overwintering), a sonar exercise might expose the entire population to levels >SEL0 within a 24-h exercise period. However, the disturbance will be short and the response threshold used here is highly conservative. It is therefore unlikely that naval sonar will significantly impact the herring population.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2016
In mitigating the risk of sonar operations, the behavioral response of cetaceans is one of the ma... more In mitigating the risk of sonar operations, the behavioral response of cetaceans is one of the major knowledge gaps that needs to be addressed. The 3S-Project has conducted a number of controlled exposure experiments with a realistic sonar source in Norwegian waters from 2006 to 2013. In total, the following six target species have been studied: killer, long-finned pilot, sperm, humpback, minke, and northern bottlenose whales. A total of 38 controlled sonar exposures have been conducted on these species. Responses from controlled and repeated exposure runs have been recorded using acoustic and visual observations as well as with electronic tags on the target animal. So far, the first dose-response curves as well as an overview of the scored severity of responses have been revealed. In this paper, an overview is presented of the approach for the study, including the results so far as well as the current status of the ongoing analysis.
ABSTRACT LONG-TERM GOALS The DTAG was originally developed to record an animal's response... more ABSTRACT LONG-TERM GOALS The DTAG was originally developed to record an animal's responses to acoustic stimuli, such as naval sonar signals, and the traditional method for deploying these non invasive (suction cup) tags on large and mid-sized cetaceans has been to use long carbon fiber poles (Moore et al. 2001, Johnson and Tyack 2003). This technique works well with some of the large whales, but some mid-sized cetaceans (e.g., beaked whales, minke whales) tend to be quicker, more maneuverable, and elusive, making pole tagging rather inefficient (Johnson and Tyack 2003). The goal of this project was to develop a system that launches the DTAG through the air using a pneumatic launcher (Aerial Rocket Tag System, or ARTS), in order to extend the tagging range and thus increase tag deployment rate. A preliminary version of the ARTS-DTAG system has already proven to have potential in improving tagging efficiency, particularly with "difficult" whale species (Kvadsheim et al. 2009). However, this system needed improvement in several areas to become operational. This project included redesign of the ARTS-DTAG system compared to the 2009 version and an extensive test program, including ballistic testing in the lab, at sea testing on a floating dummy whale and a field trial with tag deployments on minke and pilot whales. Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America, 2016
The time and energetic costs of behavioral responses to incidental and experimental sonar exposur... more The time and energetic costs of behavioral responses to incidental and experimental sonar exposures, as well as control stimuli, were quantified using hidden state analysis of time series of acoustic and movement data recorded by tags (DTAG) attached to 12 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) using suction cups. Behavioral state transition modeling showed that tagged whales switched to a non-foraging, non-resting state during both experimental transmissions of low-frequency active sonar from an approaching vessel (LFAS; 1-2 kHz, source level 214 dB re 1 µPa m, four tag records) and playbacks of potential predator (killer whale, Orcinus orca) sounds broadcast at naturally occurring sound levels as a positive control from a drifting boat (five tag records). Time spent in foraging states and the probability of prey capture attempts were reduced during these two types of exposures with little change in overall locomotion activity, suggesting an effect on energy intake with no immediate...
Heat flux models have been used to predict metabolic rates of marine mammals, generally by estima... more Heat flux models have been used to predict metabolic rates of marine mammals, generally by estimating conductive heat transfer through their blubber layer. Recently, Kvadsheim et al. (1997) found that such models tend to overestimate metabolic rates, and that such errors probably result from the asymmetrical distribution of blubber. This problem may be avoided if reliable estimates of heat flux through the skin of the animals are obtained by using models that combine calculations of conductive heat flux through the skin and fur, and convective heat flux from the surface of the animal to the environment. We evaluated this approach based on simultaneous measurements of metabolic rates and of input parameters necessary for heat flux calculations, as obtained from four harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) resting in cold water. Heat flux estimates were made using two free convection models (double-flat-plate and cylindrical geometry) and one forced convection model (single-flat-plate geometry). We found that heat flux estimates generally underestimated metabolic rates, on average by 26-58%, and that small variations in input parameters caused large variations in these estimates. We conclude that cutaneous heat flux models are too inaccurate and sensitive to small errors in input parameters to provide reliable estimates of metabolic rates of marine mammals.
American Institute of Physics Conference Series, Nov 18, 2004
A study of the effects of active sonar transmissions on fish and marine mammals in Norwegian wate... more A study of the effects of active sonar transmissions on fish and marine mammals in Norwegian waters has been launched following the ordering of new frigates by the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN). The frigates will be equipped with active sonars operating at lower frequencies than those of the sonars currently in operation in the RNoN. Lower frequency sonar transmissions are believed to be potentially more harmful to marine life than higher frequency transmissions. The objective of the study is to acquire knowledge about the effects of active sonar on marine life, and produce a set of recommended rules for naval sonar operations in Norwegian waters based on scientific grounds.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2016
Ramp-up procedures are used to mitigate the impact of sound on marine mammals. Sound exposure mod... more Ramp-up procedures are used to mitigate the impact of sound on marine mammals. Sound exposure models combined with observations of marine mammals responding to sound can be used to assess the effectiveness of ramp-up procedures. We found that ramp-up procedures before full-level sonar operations can reduce the risk of hearing threshold shifts with marine mammals, but their effectiveness depends strongly on the responsiveness of the animals. In this paper, we investigated the effect of sonar parameters (source level, pulse-repetition time, ship speed) on sound exposure by using a simple analytical model and highlight the mechanisms that limit the effectiveness of ramp-up procedures.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2016
Effects of noise on fish populations may be predicted by the population consequence of acoustic d... more Effects of noise on fish populations may be predicted by the population consequence of acoustic disturbance (PCAD) model. We have predicted the potential risk of population disturbance when the highest sound exposure level (SEL) at which adult herring do not respond to naval sonar (SEL0) is exceeded. When the population density is low (feeding), the risk is low even at high sonar source levels and long-duration exercises (>24 h). With densely packed populations (overwintering), a sonar exercise might expose the entire population to levels >SEL0 within a 24-h exercise period. However, the disturbance will be short and the response threshold used here is highly conservative. It is therefore unlikely that naval sonar will significantly impact the herring population.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 2016
In mitigating the risk of sonar operations, the behavioral response of cetaceans is one of the ma... more In mitigating the risk of sonar operations, the behavioral response of cetaceans is one of the major knowledge gaps that needs to be addressed. The 3S-Project has conducted a number of controlled exposure experiments with a realistic sonar source in Norwegian waters from 2006 to 2013. In total, the following six target species have been studied: killer, long-finned pilot, sperm, humpback, minke, and northern bottlenose whales. A total of 38 controlled sonar exposures have been conducted on these species. Responses from controlled and repeated exposure runs have been recorded using acoustic and visual observations as well as with electronic tags on the target animal. So far, the first dose-response curves as well as an overview of the scored severity of responses have been revealed. In this paper, an overview is presented of the approach for the study, including the results so far as well as the current status of the ongoing analysis.
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Papers by Petter Kvadsheim