Volunteers join researchers in Puerto Rico to assess the impact of noise pollution on humpback whale interactions
Earthwatch Institute, Maynard, MA, 17 January 2006-The haunting songs of humpback whales are crucial to the survival of endangered whale populations, but is this ocean music being drowned out by environmental noise pollution? Volunteers are invited to help leading whale researchers Dr. Eduardo Mercado and Jennifer Schneider, of State University of New York at Buffalo, investigate how underwater noises interfere with the function of whale songs.
"While their size, beauty, and behavior amaze me, what I find most intriguing about humpback whales is how little we know about them," said Dr. Eduardo Mercado, principal investigator of Singing Whales of Puerto Rico and researcher at University at Buffalo, State University of New York. "Join us as we eavesdrop on these whales during their short time in the warm waters of Puerto Rico."
Humpback whales once numbered an estimated 125,000 around the world, but whaling efforts during the past two centuries decimated the population. Despite worldwide bans on commercial whaling, humpback populations fall far short of their historic numbers, perhaps as few as 5,000, and are still listed as endangered. Modern threats include illegal hunting, entanglement in fishing nets, pollution, and most insidious of all, noise.
Underwater noise pollution, from boat traffic, sonar, and industrial activities, has increased dramatically in the past 50 years. Earthwatch volunteers working with Mercado and Schneider in Puerto Rico will use state-of-the-art recording equipment and advanced computer algorithms to document how different whale song elements may be vulnerable to this ocean noise. To hear whale songs courtesy of NOAA
The February and March Earthwatch projects are located in Rincon, a scenic coastal area of Puerto Rico known for its sandy beaches and excellent surfing. Volunteers will alternate between servicing hydrophone arrays from a small boat and monitoring the behavior and location of humpbacks from a historic lighthouse. Back at the lab, volunteers will help upload digital audio files and analyze data.
Earthwatch's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education and promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. The unique non-profit celebrates its 35th Anniversary this year by expanding opportunities for families, teens, and teachers, with 35 new ways to save the planet. See www.earthwatch.org