AUGUST 19 to 21 RV Langseth MMO role for geophysical survey: pre-departure

On August 18, 2009 I departed Victoria to work as a marine mammal observer (MMO) for seismic mitigation on a geophysical survey. Scientists from the University of Oregon and University of Washington were planning to do seismic surveys to obtain images of the 3-D seismic structure of the crust and topmost mantle along an 80 km long section of the Endeavour ridge (in the Endeavour Marine Protected Area). There was opposition to the survey as the research would involve the use of seismic sound within the marine protected area but attempts to halt the survey in court in Ottawa did not go through (see Further Reading below for media and other info).

So how did I end up working as MMO for this controversial survey?

During my time on the DFO marine mammal cruise on the CCGS Tully (see posts for July 23 -31, 2009) I was asked if I would be the Canadian MMO for the survey; the US based ship was working in a Canadian Marine Protected Area so DFO wanted a Canadian MMO onboard. I would be working with five other marine mammal observers and our job was to ensure no marine mammals were in the designated exclusion zones, based on received sound levels at specified distances called isopleths, before the seismic airguns were turned on and to ensure none entered the zone while the airguns were firing. For example, this survey would utilize a 7.7 km safety zone (based on a 160 dB isopleth) around the ship for SARA listed species such as the blue whale (most seismic mitigation follows a 500 m safety zone for specified species!). As well, many of these species would not be utilizing these waters at this time of the year as many species of concern are foraging in cold, productive Arctic waters; one of the main deciding factors for the timing of such surveys.

The six of us would be doing visual observations using Big Eye binoculars (25 x 150) to cover the large zone and smaller binoculars (7x50) and naked eye to monitor waters near the ship during all daylight hours. We would also be working in shifts listening to the passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) station 24 hours a day. The group of MMOs would consist of a marine mammal scientist who’d spent 36 years implementing and running marine mammal surveys for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), two MMOs each with many years of marine mammal mitigation experience around the world, a bio-acoustician and MMO who would be in charge of ensuring the PAM was operational during the entire survey and a National Marine Fisheries certified marine mammal observer. Prior to our departure we had daily meetings with the chief scientists, techs on the ship and the office of marine operations at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory to ensure we would be implementing the correct procedures for marine mammal (and sea turtle) mitigation during this survey (to really understand how the mitigation is implemented check out this document *see note below)

Departing Victoria Harbour on a sunny day on the Clipper, HMCS Malahat with Olympic Mountains, WA in the background

Above 2 photos: the RV Langseth...Columbia University's NSF funded geophysical research ship and my home for the next month. The MMO tower, which has two mounted Big Eye binoculars can be seen located mid-ships and is about 19 meters above sea level (an important number to know for calculating distance of sightings from the ship!)

Hydrophone streamers on deck

The streamer deck

View of the MMO tower from the ex-heli deck

Looking down from the stern of the ship

Further Reading

Statement of Canadian Practice

Endeavour/Toomey Environmental Assessment report*

Endeavour/Toomey IHA document

NOAA fisheries Ocean Acoustics program

Acoustic Ecology Institute blog entries August 17 and 27

CTV news report

Vancouver Sun report

CBC news report

*While reading an IHA it is important to keep in mind that a 'take' means that either of two levels of 'harassment' occurs i.e. the animals are not literally 'taken". For example, the IHA may allow the survey to have 6 'takes' of Humpback whales which means that it is anticipated, based on estimates of species density for the area, that up to 6 humpback whales could be exposed to sound levels greater than 160 dB over the course of the survey. As well, individuals and species react differently; some may avoid the ship, some may not change their behaviour at all or some may approach the ship. Additionally, there are many variables beyond the presence or absence of seismic operation to be considered durings such interactions . 'Takes' are considerd to occur at two levels:

The MMPA defines "Harassment as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which

(i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in thewild [``Level A harassment'']; or

(ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to,migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering[``Level B harassment''].

Also, many other activities have required application to NOAA for IHA including: other types of research, including marine mammal research such as photo-ID and biopsy, dredging operations, wildlife service watercraft use in Manatee sensitive areas, explosive removal of offshore structures and wind energy facilities.