Kaua‘i field project - August 2026
August 25, 2026
Researchers from Cascadia Research Collective are conducting a 9-day field session off Kaua'i to deploy LIMPET satellite tags on odontocete cetaceans prior to a Submarine Command Course (SCC) to be able to examine their behavior before, during, and after the training event. Click on the image below to see daily updates from the field.
Kaua'i Field Work Updates
February 20, 2025
Scientists from Cascadia Research Collective recently completed a ~9-day field project off Kaua’i that started on February 9th. This project is timed to occur prior to a Submarine Command Course (SCC) training event. The primary goal is to deploy satellite telemetry tags on multiple species of odontocete cetaceans prior to the SCC, to be able to examine their behavior before, during, and after the event. This approach has been very successful in the past as a way of examining how different species respond to Navy training activities including mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS). Click through the picture below to see daily updates.
Mesoplodon mysterioso
June 13, 2024
We are thrilled to be part of the "Mystery Mesoplodon Expedition" off the west coast of Baja California searching for an elusive new species of beaked whale. Read about the initial discovery and stay tuned for updates on this exciting expedition!
Kauai' Field Work Updates
February 16, 2024
Scientists from Cascadia Research Collective are leading a ~9-day field project off Kaua’i that started on February 11th.
August 2022 Kaua‘i Field Project
August 18, 2022
Cascadia Research Collective began an 8-10 day field project off Kaua’i starting on August 16th. This project is timed to occur prior to a Submarine Command Course (SCC). Their primary goal is to deploy LIMPET satellite tags on one or more species of odontocete cetaceans prior to the SCC, to be able to examine their behavior before, during, and after the SCC. This approach has been very successful in the past as a way of examining how different species respond to Navy training activities including mid-frequency active sonar.
Current
Visual Survey and Tagging of Hawaiian Odontocetes
Project Objectives
(1) define the spatial movement and habitat use patterns of species that are exposed to mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar (2) determine how these patterns influence exposure and potential responses
Complete
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals Using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles in Southern California
Project Objectives
Explore presence of marine mammals in less-surveyed, offshore areas
Complete
Pacific Islands Marine Mammal Stranding Diseases
Project Objectives
Determine cause of death when cetaceans strand to ensure accurate public understanding of stranding cause, with focus on infectious diseases
Current
North Pacific Marine Mammal Species Distribution
Project Objectives
Develop a North Pacific-wide species distribution model for cetaceans
Complete
Hawaiian Monk Seal Tagging
Project Objectives
Investigate potential impacts of naval activities on Hawaiian monk seals
Complete
Conservation Canine for Marine Mammal Scat Collection in Hawaii
Project Objectives
Test whether a K9 can be trained to detect and 'direct' boat drivers via changes in behavior to the scat of marine mammals in Hawaii
Complete
Accelerometry Tag Development
Project Objectives
Increase capacity and develop training for marine mammal monitoring in Hawaii utilizing non-invasive triaxial accelerometry biologging tags to quantify fine-scale behavioral and energetic responses of protected species to potential anthropogenic disturbance
Current
Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R)
Project Objectives
Improve understanding of the long term trends in occurrence of marine mammals on the PMRF and SOAR ranges.
Current
Estimation of Received Levels of MFAS and Behavioral Response of Marine Mammals at PMRF
Project Objectives
Further our understanding of the Monitoring Questions: 1) What is the occurrence and estimated received levels of MFAS on 'blackfish', humpback, minke, sperm and Blainville's beaked whales within the PMRF instrumented range? and 2) What, if any, are the short term behavioral responses of 'blackfish,' humpback, minke, sperm and Blainville's beaked whales when exposed to MFAS/explosions at different levels/conditions at PMRF?
Current
Goose-Beaked Whale and Fin Whale Population Dynamics and Impact Assessment at the Southern California Offshore Antisubmarine Warfare Range (SOAR)
Project Objectives
Improve knowledge of baseline population demographics, vital rates, and movement patterns of Cuvier’s beaked whales and fin whales. Examine what, if any, short term behavioral and/or vocal responses occur when exposed to sonar or explosions at different levels and conditions. Determine if exposure to sonar or explosives impact the long term fitness and survival of individuals or the population, species, or stock
Current
Southern California Beaked Whale Occurrence (formerly "Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals in Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL)")
Project Objectives
Determine the distribution and temporal patterns of beaked whale occurrence in the waters within and outside the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL). Use passive acoustic monitoring to determine what species are present in SOCAL and examine spatial and temporal patterns.
Complete
North Pacific Humpback Whale Tagging
Project Objectives
Determine the occurrence, movement patterns, and residency patterns of multiple humpback whale Distinct Population Segments within Pacific Ocean Navy Range Complexes
Current
Pacific Islands Comprehensive Stranding Investigations
Project Objectives
Conduct comprehensive investigations of stranded marine mammals throughout the Pacific Islands with emphasis on the Hawaiian and Mariana Island chains. This includes conducting necropsies of stranded animals, collecting and archiving samples, conducting disease screening, genetic testing, and analysis of historical data. The objective is to examine stranding patterns and causes of death for marine mammals in the Pacific Islands.
Complete
Guadalupe Fur Seal Satellite Tracking
Project Objectives
Determine the at-sea distribution of endangered Guadalupe fur seals and whether they travel through or utilize the offshore waters of the Southern California Range Complex and Northwest Training and Testing area
Complete
Blue and Fin Whale Satellite Tagging
Project Objectives
Determine the movement patterns, occurrence, and residence times of blue whales and fin whales within U.S. Navy training and testing areas as well as Biologically Important Areas along the U.S. West Coast
Current
Marine Mammal Sightings During CalCOFI Cruises
Project Objectives
Determine what species and populations of marine mammals are present in Southern California and estimate the abundance and density across seasons
Current
Long Term Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals Utilizing the Instrumented Range at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF)
Project Objectives
Improve understanding of the long term trends in occurrence of marine mammals (e.g., minke, humpback, fin, Bryde's, Blainville's) on the PMRF range. Examine what, if any, acoustic and physical behavioral responses occur to Navy activities.
Complete
Effectiveness of Navy Lookout Teams in Detecting Cetaceans
Project Objectives
Obtain data to characterize the potential exposure of marine mammals and ESA-listed marine species to Navy training and testing activities, evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures
Current
Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (PACMAPPS) survey
Project Objectives
Identify species of beaked whales, odontocetes, and baleen whales that occur in the surveyed areas; Monitor marine mammal and sea turtle presence, distribution, and diversity in offshore waters; Develop a better understanding of marine mammal distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance; Develop reference library of visually-validated acoustic recordings of marine mammals.
Current
Behavioral Response Analysis of Two Populations of Short-Finned Pilot Whales to Mid-Frequency Active Sonar
Project Objectives
Utilize newly developed statistical methods from the Atlantic BRS project and apply them to all the satellite-tagged pilot whales from both the Atlantic and Pacific studies.No related documents to display
