Investigators: Dr. Leigh Torres, Dr. Holger Klinck, Craig Hayslip, Dr. Kim Bernard, Miranda Mayhall, Marissa Garcia, Dr. Dawn Barlow, Will Kennerley

 

 

The Holistic Assessment of Living marine resources off Oregon (HALO) project headed out on its first voyage in October 2021 aboard the R/V Pacific Storm. Researchers conducted visual surveys for cetaceans (whales and dolphins) along the Newport Hydrographic (NH) Line and deployed three Rockhopper recording units that will stay put for 6 months to continually collect sound information, listening for cetaceans nearby. Following this initial voyage, the HALO team will revisit the NH line on a 24-hour trip once a month and repeat the visual survey.

The goals of our project are (a) to improve our understanding of the interactions between the oceanographic conditions (e.g., ocean temperature) and the occurrence patterns of marine mammals in this area, and (b) to assess how global climate change may impact these interactions and patterns. 

 

The Newport Hydrographic (NH) Line

Ever since the 1960s, researchers have conducted oceanographic studies in Oregon waters along the Newport Hydrographic (NH) Line, which was established for the sake of continuity across studies. Despite a strong oceanographic understanding of the area, a significant gap in knowledge of cetacean distribution in Oregon waters has recently become apparent. We will join the legacy of other researchers who have collected samples, conducted visual and acoustic surveys, and developed an oceanographic record of this area. The NH Stations (indicated in pink triangles) depict the location where we deployed three Rockhopper units. These will record acoustic data here six months at a time.

 

 

 

Collaborators:

K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell University

Zooplankton Ecology Lab, Oregon State University

Seabird Oceanography Lab, Oregon State University

Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University

 

Funding: 

OSU Marine Mammal Institute Gray Whale License Plate Funds

Our mission is to understand how changes in ocean conditions influence living marine resources in Oregon waters.