Dr. Heather Heenehan
University of New England
In September 2016, the West Indies distinct population segment (DPS) of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) was delisted under the US Endangered Species Act. In response to these changes in humpback status and evidence supporting more than one breeding population in the West Indies, the Caribbean Humpback Acoustic Monitoring Programme (CHAMP) was formed. CHAMP leverages and expands networks already established in the Caribbean to promote and enhance collaborative work on the biology of humpback whales and establish a robust monitoring program, focusing first on passive acoustic monitoring. With the significant contributions of a large network of partners and collaborators, nine passive acoustic recording devices were deployed between December 2016 and June 2017. By placing passive acoustic recorders throughout the Caribbean, we are able to monitor humpback whale distribution, assess seasonal differences in arrival and departure of the whales, and quantify the soundscape of these islands.
Polycom availability with Darling Marine Center, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and Bigelow Laboratories
Host: Kristina Cammen (kristina.cammen@maine.edu)