{"id":7212,"date":"2020-03-10T18:34:19","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T18:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/?p=7212"},"modified":"2020-03-11T14:38:19","modified_gmt":"2020-03-11T14:38:19","slug":"are-humpback-whales-changing-their-tune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/en\/are-humpback-whales-changing-their-tune\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Humpback Whales Changing Their Tune?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Humpback Whales are the singers of the sea \u2013 but are they starting to change their tune?<\/h2>\n

Male humpbacks emit complex sequences of sounds that can travel across many kilometres of ocean. These beautiful, somewhat haunting songs are sung at low frequencies, some of which are outside the range of human hearing!<\/p>\n

The exact purpose of Humpback Whale vocalizations is still being explored by scientists. Females and calves vocalize, but only adult males appear to sing, leading many to believe the sounds help to attract female mates. All members of a population typically sing the same tune, which may allow males to stand out with slight differences in vocalization. Good luck to those who are out of tune!<\/p>\n

Changing the Station<\/h3>\n

Some change is good. Researchers have been noting for years that Humpback Whales gradually switch up their songs as they travel the ocean and cross paths with other populations. Sequences of sounds are then passed from population to population \u2013 a bit like an underwater radio.<\/p>\n

This ocean-wide transmission of tunes has been dubbed a \u201ccultural revolution<\/a>\u201d by researchers, and they\u2019re still trying to determine exactly how and why new sequences are adopted by entire populations.<\/p>\n

\"The
The ocean is becoming increasingly crowded with passenger and cargo ships that emit low-frequency noise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately, humpbacks are also changing their tune because of human activity. The ocean is becoming increasingly crowded with passenger and cargo ships that emit low-frequency noise \u2013 just like Humpback Whales. So how does a noisy ocean impact humpbacks? Researchers discovered that Humpback Whales were less likely to sing within 500 metres<\/a> of a shipping lane. They also found that humpbacks within approximately 1,200 metres of a recently passed ship tended to temporarily stop or reduce their singing, and most did not resume singing until at least 30 minutes after the ship passed.<\/p>\n

\"we
We don\u2019t yet know how noisy ships affect the behaviour of females or calves who vocalize.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While adult males are the only humpbacks who sing, we don\u2019t yet know how noisy ships affect the behaviour of females or calves who vocalize as well. It\u2019s also difficult to determine how humpbacks are impacted by the males temporarily stopping or reducing their singing. But considering whale vocalizations are an important communication tool, the disruption could be a potential stressor for humpbacks \u2013 especially since ship traffic is on the rise.<\/p>\n

\"Dolphins
Dolphins are another marine mammal who are changing their tune.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dolphins are another marine mammal who are changing their tune. Researchers from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that dolphins are simplifying their complex calls<\/a> to compete with sounds from ships, ocean exploration and other human activity. Dr. Helen Bailey likens it to being in a noisy bar and shortening your sentences to try and get your message across. Dolphins are very vocal mammals who use their voices to communicate, socialize and find food. Reducing the complexity of their sounds could have consequences, but more research is needed to determine the exact impact.<\/p>\n

We often think of the ocean as a dark and quiet place, but sound travels faster underwater than in air. Scientists are still working to understand exactly how noise from human-made vessels affects marine mammals, but it\u2019s important to recognize the many voices we may be interrupting.<\/p>\n

Learn more about our Coasts & Oceans<\/a> or our marine work with the Canadian Marine Animal Response Alliance<\/a>.<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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