Speaker: George Joe Garza
Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Biology
Time: 4:40 PM
Place: Trustee Hall 117
Supervisor: Dr. Fidelma O’Leary
Title: Does SURTASS LFA Sonar Negatively Affect Whale's Ability to
Navigate Through Oceanic Waters?

Abstract: This study was done to look at the effects of the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) Sonar on four species of Baleen Whales (Mysticeti). The four species to be used are the Blue Whale(Balaenoptera musculus ), Fin Whale(Balaenoptera physalus ), Gray Whale(Eschrichtius robustus ), and Humpback Whale(Megaptera novaeangliae ). This experiment is design to determine the effects of the sonar on the echolocation used by the Baleen whales. The echolocation is a physiological process for locating distant or invisible objects by means of sound waves that are reflected back to the emitter by the objects. It is used for foraging, migration orientation, identification purposes, and predator evasion. During September 1997 to March 1998, a three part Low Frequency Sound Scientific Research Program was used in two locations off the coast of California and one location off the coast of Hawaii. The movements and behaviors of the Baleen whales were monitored before, during, and after they were exposed to different strength of sonar signals. A variety of extensive measurements, sophisticated instruments, and visual observations were used to determine the actual sound levels received by the whales. The conclusions suggest that there was an effect of the SURTASS LFA Sonar on the Baleen whales. Since the experiment’s design used a low frequency range for a shorter duration of exposure, further studies may be needed to gauge the full range of effects on Baleen whales.