Movements and Spatial Use of Odontocetes in the Western Main Hawaiian Islands: Results of a Three-Year Study Off O'ahu and Kaua'i [report]

Robin W. Baird, Daniel L. Webster, Sabre D. Mahaffy, Gregory S. Schorr, Jessica M. Aschettino, Antoinette M. Gorgone
2013 unpublished
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services,
more » ... torate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. Department of Defense or the US Government. ABSTRACT Understanding the impacts of anthropogenic activities on animal populations requires knowledge of their population structure, sizes, and ranges. In Hawaiian waters this type of basic information has been lacking or is restricted to areas where conditions have been more favorable to research efforts, namely the eastern main Hawaiian Islands. As part of an effort to reduce uncertainty regarding the population structure, range, and abundance of odontocetes in the western main Hawaiian Islands, and to help inform Navy impact assessments, we undertook small-boat based research efforts off O'ahu (2010) and Kaua'i (2011Kaua'i ( & 2012. A variety of field methods were used, including photo-identification, collection of biopsy samples for genetic studies, and satellite tagging. There were 191 odontocete sightings, 183 identified to species. 102 biopsy samples were collected from 7 species. 30 satellite tags were deployed on 5 species: pygmy and false killer whales, bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins, and short-finned pilot whales. Our efforts substantially increased what is known in particular about the movements and habitat use of these 5 species of odontocetes in the western main Hawaiian Islands. SUBJECT TERMS Marine mammals, western Hawaiian Islands, odontocetes, population structure, population size, population range, photo identification, biopsy sampling, satellite tagging, pygmy killer whale, false killer whale, bottlenose dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, short-finned pilot whale.
doi:10.21236/ada602078 fatcat:5dtjtkapjnbblgtdklh4tzerze