Oceans of noise - Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

Beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, feeding in Bristol Bay, Alaska were not displaced
from their feeding site despite being harassed by speedboats.
Ref: Fish and Vania 1971.
Porpoises
Species type: Finless porpoise, Neophocaena phocaenoides
Location: Hong Kong.
ferries.
The presence of boats caused a significant increase in finless porpoise dive times. It was
suggested that the longest dives were in response to speed and passenger boats.
Porpoises were observed surfacing tens of metres in front of, or alongside, high-speed
Porpoises were observed leaping, apparently as an avoidance reaction in response to
approaching boat traffic.
Ref: Beasley and Jefferson 2000.
Species type: Harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena
Location: Shetland Isles, Scotland
Harbour porpoises in south-east Shetland avoided shipping traffic of all sizes.
The occurrence of shipping vessels in an area could lead to porpoises departing the area
completely.
Porpoises were more likely to avoid infrequent vessels than routine vessels such as regular
ferry services.
Ref: Evans et al. 1994.
Species type: Harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena
Location: Bay of Fundy, Canada.
Harbour porpoises were significantly more frequently observed swimming away from the
survey ship route than towards it.
The avoidance behaviour was more frequent for animals sighted within 400m of the survey
vessel.
Ref: Polacheck and Thorpe 1990.
Species type: Vaquita, Phocoena sinus
Location: Gulf of California, Mexico.
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