The following (press release from Minerals Management Service) might be of
interest to Marmam and ECS-news list subscribers. Pdf link is listed at bottom
of email, but note it is an extremely large file. Please direct any inquiries
to the Minerals Management Service directly.
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MMS Releases Synthesis Report on Six-Year, $9.3 Million Study Project
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) released the results of a six-year, $9.3
million study on sperm whales, an endangered species living in the northern
Gulf of Mexico. The Sperm Whale Seismic Study (SWSS) focused on the effects of
seismic activities on sperm whales living in an area that is highly
industrialized with oil and gas exploration and production activities.
One finding supported by SWSS data is that Northern Gulf of Mexico sperm whales
are a distinct stock; that is, they show genetic differences from other sperm
whales world-wide. Also, based on tag location data, the Gulf sperm whales
showed no discernible seasonal migration. The study also did not find any
horizontal avoidance of seismic sounds, meaning the whales did not alter their
visible behavior on the surface when exposed to seismic sounds.
“I am very pleased that MMS could add such a large volume of data on this
endangered species to the scientific body of knowledge,” said Randall Luthi,
MMS Director. “As oil and gas operations expand further into the deepwater Gulf
of Mexico, it is essential for MMS to understand the marine mammals in their
environment.”
Data gathered during SWSS provides insights into daily and seasonal movements,
abundance, group structure, diving and other behaviors, habitat
characteristics, and response to human-made noise, of sperm whales in the
northern Gulf of Mexico. This information will help MMS evaluate whether whales
prefer some locations, what effects human activities (such as seismic surveys)
may have on the whales, and possible mitigation measures.
According to Carol Roden, an MMS biologist on the project, “SWSS has given
scientists a fascinating look at the unique northern Gulf of Mexico sperm whale
population. The collaboration and dedication of such a diverse group of
researchers made SWSS a multi-faceted effort that approached the study goals
from varied perspectives and resulted in new ways to gather data on these
endangered animals.”
The report, “Sperm Whale Seismic Study in the Gulf of Mexico: Synthesis Report
(MMS 2008-006),” (58.95 MB Adobe PDF format file) presents results from the
SWSS study and gives recommendations for future study.
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