Vessels and Whale Behaviour in Boundary Pass

Boundary Pass is a busy boating region of the Salish Sea and is a critical foraging habitat for many cetacean species, specifically Southern Resident killer whales, transient (Bigg’s) and humpback whales. With the shipping lanes passing through this area, whales are at risk of disturbance from underwater noise and, at times, from close vessel proximity. However, DFO has created a seasonal vessel no-go zone (Interim Sanctuary Zone) for whales to reduce acoustic and physical harassment in the region. The first component of this project aims to collect use of visual land-based observation data on occupancy and movement tracks to link these to natural dynamics and anthropogenic sources of disturbance. Humpback whales will be the focus of this work, but all data on whales will be collected. Two hydrophone stations in Boundary Pass will provide acoustic data at key frequency bands known to be important to baleen and toothed whales. We will also monitor the compliance of recreational boats to the no-go zone.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ruth Joy

Student:

Partner:

Saturna Island Marine Research & Education Society

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: