Subject: S-tag daily report for 30 June 2005
Date: June 30, 2005 1:58:32 PM CDT
FINAL DAILY REPORT FOR THE SWSS 2005 S-TAG CRUISE
Our position at 11:00 local time is 28 46.93'N 94 57.47'W. As we steam
towards Galveston, TX, we are packing up and drafting reports after a
successful S-tag cruise into the western Gulf of Mexico. This morning we
gathered for a photograph of the science team at the bow (Figure).
Information on what data we collected will be summarized in a cruise report
that will be posted to this SWSS web site in approximately one month.
To all our family and friends who have been following our journey, we
appreciate your thoughts and support.
Farewell!
Ann
30 June 2005 S-tag science team Bow Photo
Back row: Suzanne Yin, Sara Heimlich, Rhoni Lahn, Andy Szabo
2nd row: Ann Jochens, Bill Burgess, Joel Ortega, Iliana Cooley, Alyson
Azzara, Deborah Epperson, Lee Benner, Kyle Baker, Ladd Irvine, Eddie Webb,
Lars Bejder, Charlie Short, Dan Engelhaupt
Front row: Glenn Gailey, Tom Norris, Craig Hayslip
Bow Picture
Subject: S-tag daily report for 29 June 2005
Date: June 29, 2005 10:38:57 PM CDT
We surveyed west and then south during the night. Acoustics heard sperm
whales in the morning, and we launched the RHIBs. Visuals and acoustics
tracked 2-3 animals southward. One location-only S-tag was deployed. A
photo-id, but no biopsies were taken. Some rough toothed dolphins approached
RHIB-1, and photos were taken. Storm clouds were building all morning. Just
after lunch, there were rain showers in every direction around us. One storm
cloud was seen with a small water spout developing. Since there were no
other whales seen or heard in the area where we were or in the area to our
immediate north where we had been, we decided to put the RHIBs on board
Gyre, bring in the hydrophone arrays, take a CTD, and head for Galveston.
Near sunset, we passed through an area where multiple schools of bonita were
observed, most were accompanied by a whale shark.
Our position at 22:10 local time is 27 12.55'N 95 42.36'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 28 June 2005
Date: June 28, 2005 11:42:49 PM CDT
Howdy from GYRE!
After surveying southwest through the night, acoustics heard distant sperm
whales about 05:00 local, but lost them during turning manuevers. After a
search of the area by acoustics, visuals, and the two RHIBs, the whales were
reacquired. Today we were with approximately 10 sperm whales. As we studied
with these whales, we found many were too small or too slim to tag with
S-tags. This has been the condition for many of the groups we have worked
with on this cruise. In today's group, there were at least one mother with
calf and only 2-3 animals large enough to S-tag. Thus, although we were with
these animals until nearly 20:00 local time, only one location-only S-tag
was deployed. A biopsy was obtained from this whale. A B-probe was deployed
mid-day and stayed on the animal for over 1.5 hours, during which time it
apparently made a deep dive. No quick look has yet been made of the data. A
biopsy was taken of this whale. Another biopsy was obtained from a third
whale, and a couple of photo-ids were taken. An additional high point was
the sighting of 20-30 Clymene dolphins by the visual team; RHIB 2 was in the
vicinity of these animals (Figure).
Figure 1
Our position at 22:00 local time is 26 57.05'N 95 21.00'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 27 June 2005
Date: June 27, 2005 11:00:13 PM CDT
After a relatively quiet night, acoustics heard a sperm whale clicking about
07:00 local time, maneuvered the Gyre closer, and heard several whales. The
RHIBs were launched. The visual team sighted animals at the surface, one a
mother with a calf or small juvenile. There were approximately 9 sperm
whales in the area today. Two were adults, two were calves, and the rest
were likely juveniles. A Bioacoustic probe was deployed in mid-morning and
stayed attached for approximately 2 hours, as it was programmed to do. It
was successfully recovered about mid-afternoon. A preliminary quick look at
the data indicate the whale was diving to about 20-30 m for about 1.5 hours.
It then completed a dive to 500 m of about 30 minute duration before
returning to the surface. The tag then released and rose to the surface
where the RHIB teams located and recovered it. The 38 kHz fishery echo
sounder, which should provide information related to potential prey or other
acoustic scatterers at the diving depth, was deployed during the day. A
biopsy was obtained on the animal with the B-probe and on a second whale as
well. A couple of photo-ids were taken.
Our position at 21:00 local time is 27 33.374'N 94 26.166'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 26 June 2005
Date: June 26, 2005 11:49:16 PM CDT
We traveled northwestward through the night. No whales were heard. We
deployed the RHIBs in the morning to extend our area of observations. No
whales were seen or heard. We turned southward toward an area where we had
seen whales two days earlier. No whales were seen or heard. The RHIBs were
brought back on board Gyre about dinner time. Visuals made plans to end
their day about 19:00 local. A new way point plan had been given to the
bridge. The port hydrophone array was brought on board, repairs were made,
and redeployment had just commenced. Then came the word from visuals,
"Blow!"
With about two hours of daylight left, the array deployment was stopped and
the part that was in the water was quickly retrieved. The deck engineers and
tag boat team went into action. The RHIB-1 was safely launched back into the
sea, and the tag team was off to the sighting location. Two whales had been
seen by visuals. Both fluked up before the RHIB got to the location. Then
the visual team searched the waters for any other sperm whales that might be
at the surface, while acoustics listened from the starboard hydrophone array
for sounds. A mixed group of about 30 melonheaded whales and Fraser's
dolphins was seen and heard. In 45 minutes a whale resurfaced, but in a
different location. It fluked up just before the RHIB got to its location.
With its directional hydrophone, the RHIB successfully tracked the whale,
and about 45 minutes later the whale resurfaced. Visuals quickly spotted its
blow, and the tag boat approached the animal for tagging. "Tag on!" came the
word over the radio as a location-only S-tag was successfully deployed. A
biopsy also was obtained on another approach to the whale, just before the
Captain called for the tag boat to return to the Gyre before dark.
Our position at 22:30 local time is 27 21.876'N 93 51.443'W.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 25 June 2005
Date: June 25, 2005 9:24:36 PM CDT
Everyone sends greetings to family and friends and all following our journey.
We did not reacquire the whales we heard last evening and so continued with
our survey eastward along the 1000-m isobath. No whales were heard or seen
today. It was a windy day. We will continue to survey eastward to about
92.7W and then will turn west to return to the area where we worked with
whales on 24 June 2005.
Our position at 21:00 local time is 27 05.70'N 92 47.12'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 24 June 2005
Date: June 24, 2005 10:16:48 PM CDT
At approximately 06:00 local time this morning, acoustics heard sperm whales
clicking. The visual and acoustic teams both located the animals, which
eventually became a group of 7 whales. The group included possibly two
mother-yearling pairs and 3 juveniles. The morning was plagued by squalls
that prevented immediate launch of the RHIBs and brought the visual team and
gear off the flying bridge several times. RHIB-1 was launched during one
window about 10:00 and RHIB-2 was launched about a half hour later during
another. The rest of the day was spent dodging squalls. Despite the weather,
one location-only S-tag was deployed on one of the mother whales, 3 biopsies
were taken, and at least 2 photo-id pictures were taken. The RHIBs were
brought in and visuals went off effort about 16:00. After surveying
southeast for about 2.5 hours, acoustics picked up a new group of about 6
whales, but they were lost when the ship had to maneuver around a long line
fishing vessel. As of 21:25 Local time, acoustics was attempting to
reacquire this group.
Our position at 21:25 local time is 27 11.706'N 93 38.477'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 23 June 2005
Date: June 23, 2005 11:06:18 PM CDT
Acoustics tracked the whale we heard last night for about 3 hours before it
became silent. We were unable to relocate it. There was a long line fishing
vessel nearby to the north, which added a challenge to our efforts to
maneuver to stay with the animal. A few distant sounds were heard later in
the night, but not enough to locate the animals. The RHIBs were launched
about 09:00 local time to extend our area of observations. Around noon after
we had passed Alaminos Canyon, the winds kicked up and clouds began to
accumulate. The RHIB operations ceased about 13:00 and the boats were
recovered. Visual and acoustic observations continued, although we had about
an hour with relatively high winds when the visual team went off watch. We
encountered several weed lines as we transited eastward, but the thickest
were several mile to the south. We may have touched the northwestern edge of
the cyclone that is mainly south of 26N between 94W and 93W, but this is not
certain. Currents were southward, and the 15C isotherm depth remained deeper
than 230 m. No whales were seen or heard. We turned northward about 10 nm
east of 94W longitude and are heading from the 2000-m isobath we have been
following toward the 1000-m isobath.
Our position at 21:15 local time is 26 21.825'N 93 48.466'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 22 June 2005
Date: June 22, 2005 11:10:21 PM CDT
It is a beautiful night with a gorgeous moon out here in the Gulf of Mexico.
Our position at 21:45 local time is 26 11.348'N 95 20.316'W.
We left the sperm whales we had worked so successfully with on Tuesday to
seek new areas with whales. We traveled southwestward and then south
approximately along the 96W longitude line to 26 7.68'N. No whales were
heard or, once visuals were on effort, seen on this transit. We then turned
east to survey into deep water. This took us across the region with
anticyclonic circulation. XBT data showed the depth of the 15C isotherm was
deepening from about 200 to 261 m as we transited into the interior of the
anticyclone. Currents were northward on this transect. The 38 kHz fishery
echo sounder was deployed (see Figure) from about 16:45 to 19:15 local time
to obtain acostic backscatter data in the interior of the anticyclone. The
RHIBs were deployed from late morning to late afternoon to extend the area
of listening and observing, but no whales were heard or seen by any of the
searching teams. This is not unexpected for a region of anticyclonic
circulation. A group of 15-20 rough-toothed dolphins went bowriding for a
time in the afternoon.
We are surveying eastward approximately along the 2000-m isobath, and we
have just had a faint detection of a sperm whale to try to find.
Ann
Figure 1. On 22 June 2005, Alyson Azzara and Bill Green deploy the 38 kHz
fishery echo sounder while Marty Bohn stands by to assist. The echo sounder is
attached to a pole which is lowered into the water and locked in the
vertical position when the instrument is deployed.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 21 June 2005
Date: June 21, 2005 11:04:01 PM CDT
Greetings from GYRE!
What a day this has been! Five tags on!
It started out with the acoustics team successfully tracking sperm whales
through the night. The animals had moved northeast over 15 nm, back to the
vicinity where we had turned southwest yesterday. By morning, only 2 of the
animals were within acoustic range. The sea state was rough and marginal for
launching and tagging from small boats, and the visual team again worked
with the difficult conditions of white-capped seas. These conditions lasted
throughout the day. We lost contact with the animals shortly after 07:00
local time, but reacquired acoustic contact about three hours later.
Although the seas were still marginal, the small boats were launched about
11:00 CDT. An XBT was taken, and the 38 kHz fishery echo sounder was
deployed to monitor for deep backscatter layers that might indicate prey
fields. Near surface currents were directed northeastward at about 1 knot or
less when the 38 kHz ADCP was turned off.
Then the action started. We worked with a group of 8-12 sperm whales,
including 2 that were yearling sized. About noon local time, a depth S-tag
was deployed. Two hours later and in quick succession, 2 location-only
S-tags were deployed. A bioacoustics probe (B-probe) was attached to a whale
shortly after that, but the tag did not stay on. About 17:45 local time, a
third location-only S-tag was deployed. An hour later the tag team deployed
another location-only S-tag. Biopsies were obtained on all 5 tagged animals
and photo-ids were taken of at least 2. All the teams worked long and hard
with excellent coordination and communications to achieve this 5-tag success
in the windy, rough seas of the western Gulf of Mexico!
Our position at 21:10 local time is 26 52.715'N 95 29.975'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 20 June 2005
Date: June 20, 2005 9:56:15 PM CDT
Our position at 21:30 local time is 26 45.620'N 95 39.392'W.
About mid-night last night, we turned on the ADCP to measure currents and
the flow through system to measure temperature, salinity, and fluorescence
at about 3.5 m depth. We deployed the two hydrophone arrays in the middle of
the night. We then took an XBT and found the depth of 15C isotherm was 202
m. Ten nm later it was 183 m. Currents were exhibiting a cyclonic
circulation (counterclockwise swirl). But we heard no sperm whales during
the night.
In the morning, the sea state was too rough to launch the small boats to
extend our area of observations. The wind generated small white caps that
made visual observations more difficult. But both the acoustic and visual
teams maintained their watches. No whales were seen or heard along our
transit across the southern part of the cyclone.
We turned southwest toward a region where we had seen whales in Leg 1. In
mid-afternoon (about 14:45 local time), the visual team spotted a sperm
whale and the acoustics team heard two or more whales. The seas still were
too rough to launch the tag boats. There were 3 whales, so we stayed with
the animals to provide experience for the new members of the visual and
acoustic teams. During this period a group of 15-25 melon-headed whales
approached the Gyre. A recording of their sounds was made. About an hour
before sunset three additional whales joined the three we were tracking. We
will track these six animals acoustically as long as we can tonight.
Ann
Subject:S-tag daily report for 19 June 2005
Date: June 19, 2005 9:28:37 PM CDT
Howdy!
Gyre docked in Harbor Island, TX, this morning about 9:30 am CDT (= 14:30
UTC = 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time). Dave Lundquist, Carol Roden, Aaron Thode,
and Chris Wingard left the cruise with the end of Leg 1. We thank them for a
job well done. We welcomed on board Kyle Baker, Lee Benner, Bill Burgess,
and Tom Norris. Leg 2 of our S-tag cruise set sail at 16:30 CDT (=21:30
UTC). At our present speed, we should arrive back in the region where we
have seen sperm whales in the western Gulf in the middle of the night.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 18 June 2005
Date: June 18, 2005 10:32:31 PM CDT
Acoustics monitored for whale sounds during the night as we surveyed north
and then east. No whales were heard. The visual team was on watch by 12:00
UTC. The latest ocean color image indicates the cyclone may have moved
slightly northward. So, we changed course to move northward and then
westward. At approximately 16:00 UTC we launched RHIB-1 with the tagging
team and RHIB-2 with the photo-id team. The two boats fanned out on either
side of Gyre to extend the range of the area in which we listened for sperm
whales.
During the afternoon, we encountered a group of what appeared to be 5 sperm
whales. All were too small to tag, with the largest approaching about 7.5 m.
In contrast to animals on previous days, these whales allowed the small boat
to approach closely even though the seas were rough and the RHIB-1
consequently made noisy approaches. Biopsies were obtained on 3 of the
whales, and photo-ids were taken of 2 animals, one of which also was
biopsied.
XBT data indicated we were most likely getting into the cyclone when we were
with the whales, with the depth of the 15C isotherm being at 185 m at the
end of the day in contrast to 203 m in early morning. The 38 kHz fishery
echo sounder was on for most of the time we were with the whales, and the
3-D tracking array collected additional tracking data. The software program
Whale Track II is working well and is proving to be very useful. It nicely
meshes the visual and acoustic observations into one data base visible by
both teams.
The RHIBs were recovered and the arrays and echo sounder were all on board
by about 01:30 UTC on 19 June 2005. We took a final XBT, and began our steam
toward Harbor Island.
Our position at 02:42 UTC on 19 June 2005 is 27 01.285'N 95 30.233'W.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 17 June 2005
Date: June 17, 2005 10:56:15 PM CDT
Greetings from GYRE:
We transited through the night back to the south side of the region with the
cyclonic circulation where sperm whales were encountered earlier in the
cruise. By morning, seas were too choppy to deploy the Rigid-Hull Inflatable
Boats (RHIBs) for the purpose of extending our search area. Small white caps
provided less than ideal conditions for the visual team. Winds died down a
bit in mid afternoon. At approximately 19:40 UTC, acoustics heard a sperm
whale and maneuvered Gyre into the direction of the sound. Two additional
whales were heard, making three animals in this group. Within an hour, the
visual team had spotted the blows of two separate whales. 3-D passive
acoustic tracking data were recorded. By about 22:30 UTC, RHIB-2 was
launched as the tag boat and the Gyre's Avon was launched as the photo-id
boat. RHIB personnel reported there were 3-4 animals, none of which had been
tagged and one of which was too small to tag. No tags were deployed. Both
RHIBs were recovered by about 00:45 UTC on 18 June 2005.
The 38 kHz fishery echo sounder was deployed between 23:00 UTC and 01:00 UTC
on 18 June 2005, and the 38 kHz ADCP was turned off while the echo sounder
was on. Seven XBTs were deployed during the transit, with the depth of the
15C isotherm decreasing from 244 m early in the day to 200 m as we entered
the region on the south side of the cyclonic circulation feature. Currents
in the region of the whales were about 1 knot and generally were eastward,
consistent with being on the south side of a cyclonic circulation feature.
The fluke photograph that was included in the report for 15 June 2005 was
taken at approximately 26.87N, 95.21W. Comparison with the fluke photo-id
catalogue for the Gulf suggests this sperm whale may have been photographed
at approximately 27.43N, 93.82W on a SWSS cruise two years ago on 3 June
2003.
Our position at 03:00 UTC on 18 June 2005 is 26 29.743'N 95 56.761'W.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 16 June 2005
Date: June 16, 2005 09:57:39 PM CDT
We decided to survey eastward along the 1000-m isobath toward a region near 94 W
where it appears that productive shelf waters are being drawn into deeper water
by an anticyclonic eddy (Figure 1). In the night as we surveyed southeast between
approximately 27.37 N 94.86 W and our way point 16 at 26.79 N 94.51 W, we crossed
an extensive Sargassum field. No sperm whales were heard during the night. Once we
reached the way point 16, we turned northeastward to survey toward way point 17 at
27.54 N 94.29 W. Both RHIBs were deployed between approximately 14:00 to 23:00 UTC
to extend our area of observation. With one RHIB off to each side of Gyre, we
surveyed a swath approximately 20 miles wide.
Figure 1
Figure 1. Ocean color showing cyclonic eddy in which sperm whales were tagged and
the region of shelf water being transported into deeper water.
No sperm whales were seen or heard during the day. However, we saw several varieties
of dolphins, flying fish, sea birds, and other fish in the glassy, calm seas of the
morning. Three to five Risso's dolphins were identified. Mid-morning the visual team
spotted a group of about 30 rough-toothed dolphins. RHIB-1 also saw these dolphins
(Figure 2). Biopsy samples were obtained on three. Four members of the group came over
to Gyre and rode the bow wave for about 30 minutes. We turned on the digital recorder
to record the sounds these animals were making while they were at the bow. About an
hour later, we diverted Gyre to investigate a large, white, floating object around
which the group of rough-toothed dolphins were massed. We came across what seemed to
be a floating 4x8 wooden panel beneath which there was a large school of fish.
The dolphins were feeding on these. The group came over to Gyre to ride the bow wave.
Two held fish in their mouths as they rode the bow wave (Figure 3). In the vicinity
of the ship's bow, we counted 27-32 animals, including at least one calf and two small
ones. Recordings were made of their sounds. From identifying marks on at least one
individual, this group likely is the same as the earlier group. The RHIBs also saw
spotted dolphins (Figure 4) and four separate whales sharks, with remoras, that were
swimming with schools of fish.
Figure 2
Figure 2 Rough-toothed dolphin in the northern Gulf of Mexico taken from RHIB-1
on 16-June-2005. Photograph by Craig Hayslip, OSU, on SWSS 2005 S-tag cruise.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Rough-toothed dolphins riding the bow wave of the R/V Gyre on 16 June
2005. Note the fish in the mouth of two animals. Photograp by R. Iliana Ruiz-Cooley,
OSU, for SWSS 2005 S-tag cruise.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Spotted dolphin in the northern Gulf of Mexico taken from RHIB-1
on 16 June 2005. Photograph by Craig Hayslip, OSU, on SWSS 2005 S-tag cruise.
We took 7 XBTs. The 15 C isotherm depths ranged from 245 m to 261 m on the transect
to way point 16. The near surface salinity increased from less than 34.5 to over 35.
Near surface currents roughly were northeastward at 0.5 knots or less. These data are
consistent with a transit through a region of likely anticyclonic circulation. On our
transit toward way point 17, the 15oC isotherm depths became shallower, and the salinity
returned to 34.5 or less. The near surface currents were southeastward. These data are
consistent with a region on the east side of an anticyclonic circulation feature that is
drawing more productive and less saline shelf water into deeper water.
The 38 kHz fishery echo sounder was deployed from about 18:30 to 19:45 UTC to collect
data in a region with likely anticyclonic circulation and no whales. The 38 kHz ADCP
was turned off during the time this echo sounder was deployed.
Our position at 02:45 UTC on 17 June 2005 is 27 06.732'N 94 18.723'W.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 15 June 2005
Date: June 15, 2005 10:19:59 PM CDT
The acoustic team monitored for sperm whales during the night as we crossed
the cyclone from its northwest to its eastern side. About 08:00 UTC, whales
were heard, and acoustics stayed with the animals the remainder of the
night. The visual team was on watch by 12:00 UTC, and the tag boats were
deployed by about 13:30 UTC. We were located approximately on the east side
of the cyclone, and the currents were northward at under 1 knot. Seas were
the calmest we have seen them so far.
The RHIBs were deployed with a group of four sperm whales. These whales were
tracked for much of the day. At 14:52 UTC, an S-tag was deployed. It was the
first ever depth recording S-tag to be deployed! A biopsy sample and
photo-id also were taken of this whale. Of the remaining three whales in the
group, one had both a biopsy sample and photo-id taken, one had a biopsy
only, and one had a photo-id only. One animal was too small to tag. See the
Figure 1 for one of today's photo-id pictures showing the unique shape of
the whale's fluke.
During the afternoon, the skies clouded up, and we had a few rainstorms in
the area. A waterspout was spotted in the distance behind RHIB-1. This scene
was captured in a photo taken from RHIB-2 (Figure 2). At no time was RHIB-1
in the path of the waterspout. At approximately 21:00 UTC the tag boats were
recovered, and we resumed our survey into a different area. Figure 3 shows
the recovery of RHIB-1.
Four XBTs were taken across the cyclone during the night and today. The 15C
isotherm was at 170 m on the NW, 164 m near the eastern side, and 197 m when
we left the group of four whales. At 16:05 UTC, the 38 kHz ADCP was turned
off, and the 38 kHz fishery echo sounder was deployed to monitor the deep
backscatter layer since we were with whales again. The echo sounder was
operational throughout the day and for about an hour after we left whales to
give us data where whales were not present. We plan to continue to collect
data with and without whales. The 38 kHz fishery echo sounder was recovered,
and the ADCP was turned back on about 23:00 UTC. The 3-D array was
redeployed at approximately 01:45 UTC on 16 June 2005.
Our position at 02:00 UTC on 16 June 2005 is 27 06.174'N 95 01.034'W.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 14 June 2005
Date: June 14, 2005 10:03:53 PM CDT
Howdy all,
Early this morning, we arrived at our way point at 27.086 N 95.8122 W.
Visual observers were on duty by 12:00 UTC. Both hydrophone arrays were
deployed by 12:45 UTC. One whale blow was reported by the visual team while
the arrays were being deployed. The two RHIBs were deployed by 14:15 UTC.
They extended the area in which we searched for sperm whales. We headed
roughly northeast to survey along the northwest edge of the cyclone, but no
other whales were seen or heard. Other life, however, was seen during the
day. From the flying bridge and RHIBs, sea birds of several types were seen
feeding on a school of fish. RHIB boat personnel spotted a whale shark, and
some video of it was taken from RHIB-1 (Figure 1). Photographs also were taken
of barnacles growing on floating debris that also provided shelter to a
small fish (Figure 2). About 19:00 UTC, the RHIBs were recovered because the
seas were kicking up. The 3-D hydrophone array was pulled in for maintenance
about 20:30. The 38 kHz ADCP was operational all day, with currents
indicating we mainly were on the northwest side of the cyclone. Our position
at 01:15 UTC is approximately 27 14.7'N 95 32.7'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 13 June 2005
Date: June 13, 2005 11:15:33 PM CDT
We arrived offshore of Port Aransas, Texas, at mid-morning. The seas were choppy.
Materials needed for RHIB-1 repairs were obtained, and the cook, who was suffering
from increasingly infected insect bites received before the cruise, was taken off the
ship to receive medical care. A replacement cook came on Gyre in the early evening.
We were headed back to sea by 23:00 UTC. Early tomorrow morning we will deploy the
hydrophone arrays and re-commence our search for sperm whales in the northwestern
Gulf of Mexico. Our position at 02:15 UTC on 14 June 2005 is 27 33.5'N 96 42.8'W.
During the CTD cast yesterday, we conducted an experiment to show the effects of
pressure for the students from the Toledo Middle School 7th grade class in Toledo,
Oregon. The students decorated standard styrofoam cups (Figure 1, upper panel).
These were put in a cloth net bag and secured to the CTD frame (Figure 2). The
CTD, its frame, and the cups were lowered to a water depth of approximately 1030 m.
When the CTD was recovered, the cups were removed from the bag and were found to
have been shrunk by the immense pressure they experienced at depth (Figure 1, lower
panel). The sperm whale dives to these depths and even deeper. The animal's body
is specially adapted to withstand these pressures. So, unlike the cups shown here,
when the sperm whale returns to the surface, it returns the same size it was when
it dove down.
Figure 1. Styrofoam cups before (upper panel) and after (lower panel) they were
lowered to over 1000 m depth in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Designs by 7th grade
science class of the Toledo Middle School in Toledo, Oregon.
Figure 2. Bag of cups recovered from the briny deep with the CTD.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 12 June 2005
Date: June 13, 2005 08:32:41 AM CDT
During the night we crossed the cyclonic feature from the southeast to the northwest.
No whales were heard during our survey across the interior of the cyclone. At the
northwestern side of the cyclone, the currents were directed roughly southwestward
at less than 1 knot. Two whales were heard about 10:30 UTC and tracked for about 3
hours, but no additional animals were found. The 3-D passive acoustic tracking array
was re-deployed by 13:50 UTC. The ship then was maneuvered past whales for 3-D depth
tracking tests. During this time additional whales were acquired by the visual team,
and at about 15:00 UTC (27 11.8'N 95 41.6'W), we observed breaching. At 15:35 UTC,
we were with 7 animals, including a mother and a calf. Rolling seas kept us from
launching the small boats, so we continued to collect 3-D tracking data throughout
the day. The 38 kHz fishery echo sounder was deployed at 19:05 UTC, and the 38 kHz
ADCP was turned off. We were with whales the entire day and into the evening, but
seas were never calm enough to allow small boat operations.
Because seas are expected to continue to prevent small boat operations tomorrow,
we decided to go to Harbor Island tomorrow to pick up materials and additional
spare parts for repairs on RHIB-1. Both hydrophone arrays and the 38 kHz fishery
echo sounder were pulled on board between 01:30 and 02:35 UTC on 13 June 2005.
The 38 kHz ADCP was turned on. The third CTD cast of the cruise was taken at
02:42 UTC on 13 June 2005 and was located at 27 00.5924'N 95 37.5768'W. The ship
was turned toward Harbor Island immediately after the cast was completed. Our
position at 03:35 UTC on 13 June 2005 is 27 01.780'N 95 38.736'W.
Subject: S-tag daily report for 11 June 2005
Date: June 11, 2005 10:59:50 PM CDT
Howdy Everyone,
During the night we surveyed southwestward from 26.75N 95W. We believe this
took us out of the interior of the anticyclonic feature and into the region
of the confluence of the cyclonic and anticyclonic features. At
approximately 09:30 UTC, acoustics heard whales, and at dawn (~11:00 UTC)
the visual team was working the BigEyes to spot them. The acoustic contact
occurred in about 1200 m water depth, which was the approximate depth where
whales were found north of 27N earlier in the cruise.
We maintained contact with whales in the vicinity of 26.5N 95.75W throughout
the day. There was an eastward current of approximately 1 knot all day.
Acoustics monitored up to 6-7 animals at a time. Acoustics recorded creaks
and codas at about 12:00 UTC, and the visual team reported whales were
socializing at the surface at about 13:00 UTC. The two small boats were
launched by 14:15 UTC. We estimate that we observed approximately 14-16
sperm whales in this area.
We were successful in tagging two sperm whales with the location-only
S-tags. Our first S-tag was deployed about 14:45 UTC, and our second was
deployed about 15:30 UTC. Two biopsy samples were taken, one on a tagged
animal and one on an animal that was not tagged. Photo-ids were not obtained
because the whales were mainly shallow diving throughout the day and so
showed no flukes. By 00:30 UTC on 12 June 2005, both RHIBs had been
recovered. We are moving northwestward, away from the area we worked today.
By the end of the day, swells were rising and seas were 4-6 feet.
The 38 kHz fishery echo sounder was deployed only briefly at the end of the
day. This allowed us to move rapidly from location to location. The 38 kHz
ACDP was operational throughout the day. Three XBTs were taken and had 15C
isotherm depths of 239, 223, and 220 m. A fourth XBT, taken at 03:22 UTC on
12 June 2005, had a 15C isotherm depth of 187 m.
Our position at 03:35 UTC on 12 June 2005 is 26 40.310'N 95 39.102'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag daily report for 10 June 2005
Date: June 9, 2005 09:37:30 PM CDT
During the night, we stayed with whales until about 10:00 UTC, when with two other
ships in the area we lost acoustic contact. We searched but did not re-acquire whales.
Seas were choppy on top of a 4 foot swell, effectively preventing tag boat operations.
At about 13:30 UTC we pulled in the 38 kHz fishery echo sounder, turned on the 38 kHz
ADCP, and began to survey southward. At approximately 18:00 UTC, we had a fire and
abandon ship drill. Fire hose handling was demonstrated to the science team. ADCP and
XBT data confirmed we were in an anticyclonic circulation feature along 95W. So, rather
than continue to the southernmost way point in our cruise plan, at approximately
00:00 UTC on 11 June 2005, we turned southwestward to move along the region of confluence
between a cyclone and anticyclone at about 26.3N (Figure, light blue and dark blue,
respectively, in the ocean color image from 2-3 June). Our position at 00:58 UTC on
11 June 2005 is 26 31.100'N 95 03.671'W.
Subject: S-tag Daily Report for 9 June 2005
Date: June 9, 2005 10:49:31 PM CDT
Acoustics stayed with whales throughout the night, at one point monitoring whales
from 7 separate beam directions. Because the 38 kHz fishery echosounder had been
deployed shortly after contact, we had another night of 3-D tracking data with
concurrent 38 kHz and 70 kHz echosounder data.
By dawn (about 11:00 UTC), ship traffic had entered the vicinity, with up to 3
ships in the vicinity at one time. The ship sounds are at similar frequencies to
those of the sperm whale clicks that are monitored by acoustics (see Figure 1 for
an example of sperm whale clicks on the monitoring screen). So, the sounds of the
ships mask those of the sperm whales, making it difficult for acoustics to track whales.
Once the ships had left the area, the whales were no longer heard.
At approximately 13:15 UTC, the 38 kHz fishery echosounder was pulled in, and at
13:30 UTC the 38 kHz ADCP was turned on. With the visual team in place on the
flying bridge and the acoustics team in the "Bat Cave", we then proceeded to survey
southward. Near-surface currents were directed to the northwest at about 1 knot or
less. An XBT taken at 14:31 indicated the 15C isotherm was at 210 m.
At about 15:00 UTC acoustics re-acquired sperm whales. With the rising sun, however,
came rising winds and diminishing opportunity to launch the tag boats. We stayed in
acoustic contact throughout the day. Acoustics tracked up to 7-8 individuals. Then
about 23:00 UTC, the seas calmed enough to launch the tag boat and attempt to tag.
RHIB-1 was deployed in an area with about 5 whales (see Figure showing RHIB-1 and
the tag team as they depart GYRE).
The tag team made approaches to two whales. They got within about 10 m of one, but
it made shallow dives and then fluked up before the team was able to get a tag on.
The tag team got within about 30-40 m of a second whale but it fluked up. Photo-
identification shots were made of both whales. The tag boat was recovered by 01:00 UTC
on 10 June 2005 and secured to tag another day. The 38 kHz ADCP was turned off and the
38 kHz fishery echosounder was deployed as we are still with whales.
Our position at 02:33 UTC on 10 June 2005 was 27o11.5210'N 95o22.7442'W. We are closely
monitoring progress of Tropical Storm Arlene; if it enters into and crosses the eastern
Gulf of Mexico as expected, we should be able to continue to work in the western Gulf
with seas similar to those we have been experiencing the past few days.
Ann
Subject: S-tag Daily Report for 8 June 2005
Date: June 8, 2005 9:28:20 PM CDT
Hello to All from GYRE,
Seismic sounds were heard by the acoustics team beginning about 02:00 UTC.
We were with whales at that time. We were able to stay with the whales
throughout much of the night until about 09:00 UTC when many dolphins
descended on Gyre for about an hour. Their sounds obscured the sounds of the
sperm whales. Once the dolphins left, the whales were gone too. We were
unable to relocate sperm whales after searching the area, and seas in this
area were too rough to allow tag boat launch to extend the area of our
search. So, about 13:00 UTC we pulled in the 38 kHz fishery echosounder,
turned on the 38 kHz ADCP to measure currents, and moved on to the north
surveying along the 1000-m isobath. One XBT and chlorophyll sample were
taken. No whales were seen or heard during the day.
With 4-5 foot seas prevailing today, swell and waves again prevented launch
of the tag boats and made visual observations difficult. The weather for the
next several days is expected to keep the seas too high for small boat
operations throughout our entire study area. We have decided to survey for
sperm whales south in the deeper water along 95W. Just before we reach 26N,
we will turn west and survey back to the 1000-m isobath. Our plan then is to
survey northward for the next few days, zig-zagging from deep water to the
1000-m isobath, until we find whales or return to the region where we
observed sperm whales yesterday.
Our position at 02:00 UTC on 9 June 2005 is 27 14.32'N 95 12.32'W, with the
news that two sperm whales were just heard by acoustics!
An
Hola from GYRE!
This has been another productive day on the 2005 S-tag cruise. No tags on
yet, but other successes were achieved.
At approximately 02:30 UTC we pulled in the hydrophone arrays and moved to a
way point in deep water to make a second CTD cast with the depth S-tags
attached to the CTD frame. The CTD was started at 05:25 UTC at 27 44.6548'N
95 47.4300'W. The package was stopped for approximately 15 minutes at target
depths of 5 m, 60 m, 250 m, 550 m, 850 m, and 1150 m. Tags transmitted their
data to ARGOS in the afternoon; this will allow for additional tag
calibration. The hydrophone arrays were redeployed by 12:30 UTC. On
deployment, seismic sounds were heard.
No whales were heard or seen throughout the morning. Also the seas were too
rough for safe launch of the tag boats. The weather forecast for the
northern Gulf west of 94W predicts 4 to 6 foot seas until the end of the
week. The forecast for our study area east of 94W is for 2 to 4 foot seas
through Thursday. So, rather than continue surveying south in rough seas, we
decided to transit along the 1000-m isobath northward and then eastward to
94W. This route will take us back into the general area where whales were
first observed on this cruise and to the region of historical sightings. We
then plan to turn east to the deep water part of our study area unless we
find and stay with whales during our transit.
We made contact again with whales in the early evening (about 22:30) near
the same area where whales were first observed. Seas were too rough, and it
was too late in the day, to launch the tag boats. However, the acoustics and
visual teams worked together to gather observations on the 3-6 animals that
were in the area. We deployed the 38 kHz fishery echosounder and turned off
the 38 kHz ADCP. One XBT was taken. At about 24:00 UTC, we were located
approximately at 27.11N 95.58W and were with whales. The visual team
observed 2 whales breaching, one multiple times. The acoustics team recorded
creaks and codas that may be different from those in the Mississippi Canyon
area, although this will have to be evaluated carefully on shore. The range
finding capability of the tracking program seems to be working and will be
refined in the coming days.
Our position at 01:17 UTC on 8 June 2005 (which is 20:17 CDT on 7 June 2005)
is 27 08.698'N 95 34.277'W.
Ann
Subject: S-tag Daily Report for 6 June 2005
Date: June 6, 2005 9:45:16 PM CDT
Aloha from GYRE,
During the night, we lost contact with the sperm whales. During the day, the
visual team searched with the BigEyes, and the acoustics team searched with
the hydrophone arrays. The seas had calmed enough for us to launch the small
boats after lunch. With RHIBs using directional hydrophones to the port and
starboard of Gyre, we extended the area in which we listened for whales.
None were heard or seen. The RHIBs were recovered at approximately 22:45 UTC
after about 6 hours of searching.
The small boat operations were thoroughly tested and the teams and boats are
in working order. At approximately 13:45 UTC we pulled up the 38 kHz fishery
echosounder to allow us to steam at more than 4 knots while we surveyed
trying locate sperm whales. We started up the 38 kHz ADCP to measure
currents during our survey. They were cyclonic (counterclockwise) in
direction. Three XBTs were taken.
Ann
Our position at 01:48 UTC on 6 June 2005 is 27 11.3347'N 95 22.6523'W.
An early morning storm generated swell, which, when coupled to the chop from
the wind, gave us seas that prevented the safe launch of the small boats. So
we had no small boat operations today. However, the boats have been
thoroughly checked out and are ready to go. This evening the swell is
diminishing.
Sperm whales were tracked during the night by the acoustics team and
throughout the morning by the acoustics and visual teams. This evening we
are again tracking sperm whales with the passive acoustics. Animals were
located in the same general area where first contact was made on 4 June.
Acoustics tracked both single animals and a group of 4-5. Despite the waves,
the visual team had 18 sights. The visual and acoustic teams are now well
coordinated and digitally connected.
A success for the last 24 hours has been the collection of 3-D acoustic
tracking data concurrently with collection of the fisheries echosounder
data. Enough acoustic data were collected to obtain dive profiles. Creaks
and codas were recorded. Dr. Thode's initial impression is that some of
these may be different from those in the Mississippi Canyon region. The
recordings are sufficient to allow post-cruise comparisons. Also recorded
were the vocalizations of the group of spotted dolphins.
Both the 70 kHz and 38 kHz fishery echosounders ran during the night and the
day. A good data base was collected to allow comparison of the 38 kHz
echosounder data with the 3-D tracking dive profiles. The 38 kHz fishery
echosounder showed a scattering layer at about 500-m depth. In the morning
this layer thickened and was observed in the 70 kHz data as well. When first
turned on last evening, the 38 kHz data showed what appeared to be a large
animal diving (see Figure). This event occurred at a time when sperm whales
were nearby and diving.
Both hydrophone arrays now have been fully tested and are working well. The
3-D tracking software is being debugged. Tests to resolve the left-right
ambiguity and methods for range tracking are being prepared.
An XBT was taken in the morning at 27 04.9282'N 95 20.1685'W. The depth of
the 15C isotherm was 193 m, indicating we remain in the waters influenced by
the cyclone. We stayed on the northeast side of this cyclone throughout the
day. No 38 kHz ADCP current measurements were collected today as this
instrument was turned off to allow collection of the 38 kHz fisheries
echosounder data.
Ann
Figure caption: Screen shot of 30 minutes of 38 kHz fishery echosounder
data showing presence of a large animal diving between 750 m and 750 m
(right third of the frame). Taken on 5 June 2005. Photo courtesy of Chris
Wingard, OSU.
From: Sea-Mail It was windy all day. Seas were choppy, 4 to 6 ft. No small boat operations
Four XBTs were deployed. Two were set to record only to 200 m. The other two
The Ecologic hydrophone array was checked out and is working fine. The 3-D
The 38 kHz fishery echosounder was turned off at 16:04 UTC and recovered. It
Our position at 02:11 UTC on 5 June 2005 is 27 07.6900'N 95 27.4360'W.
Ann
Date: Saturday, June 4 2005 09:15 am
Hi from R/V GYRE,
The 38 kHz ADCP was turned on at 03:30 UTC to log currents during our
Our first way point was moved to deeper water to allow a CTD cast to
The fishery echosounder was deployed successfully at mid-ships off the
The two hydrophone arrays were deployed off the stern by 02:00 UTC 4 June
At 02:52 on 4 June, we are at 27 03.71'N 94 54.26'W heading at 2-3 kts to
Ann
From: Sea-Mail <guest@gergx.gerg.tamu.edu>
Howdy!
today. The visual team spent most of the day reviewing procedures in the
main lab. The acoustics team monitored for sperm whales. About 24:00 UTC
first contact was made with sperm whales when two were heard. The ship was
at approximately 27 11'N 95 29'W. The visual team mobilized to the flying
bridge and observed a blow at about 00:40 UTC 5 June 2005. Thereafter, a
group of 5 whales was tracked and a group of spotted dolphins road the bow
wave. The sperm whales will be tracked with passive acoustics, including the
3-D tracking array, for as long as possible during the night.
recorded to 760 m or more. The depth of the 15C isotherm was at 263 m for
the XBT deployed at 27 30.6592'N 95 14.6727'W, in an area of relatively low
chlorophyll over the south Texas slope as indicated by the ocean color image
of 27 May 2005. The final XBT of the day was deployed at 27 12.9599'N
95 29.1931'W. This was at the periphery of the region of relatively high
chlorophyll in that image. The XBT profile showed the 15oC isotherm depth to
be at 213 m, which is shallower than the previous XBT station. This
shallowing of the 15C isotherm is consistent with cyclonic circulation. We
were located on the northeast edge of the region of cyclonic circulation
that is drawing the relatively high cholorphyll water off the shelf onto the
slope. Here, the surface currents were directed northwest at about a knot or
less. Near-surface water samples were filtered for chlorophyll extraction.
The filter associated with the XBT at the periphery of the cyclone was green
relative to the color of the XBT in the non-productive water.
tracking array had a bad section. The array was recovered this morning, the
bad section was removed, and the array was redeployed. It is now working
fine. Seismic sounds were heard about every 16 s at about 05:23 UTC on 4
June 2005 when the Gyre was at 26.97664 N 95.11614 W.
had collected data successfully during the night. Little was seen, but the
deployment location was in the area that was well outside the region of
relatively high chlorophyll over the south Texas slope. The 38 kHz ADCP was
turned on at about 16:05 UTC to measure currents. The 70 kHz fishery
echosounder showed an attenuation layer at approximately 90 m depth. This
may be associated with a small layer with a salinity decrease of 0.2-0.3 at
approximately 100 m depth.
Subject: S-tag Daily Cruise Report for 3 June 2005
Today was spent in transit to our first way point and in deploying and
checking out the gear. The seas were building in the morning to about 4 ft
and decreased in evening. There were no small boat operations today. Weather
is expected to be 3-5 ft seas tomorrow, so small boat operations remain
problematical. A small boat operations safety meeting was held at 15:00 UTC,
so we are ready to launch when whales are found and seas and daylight
conditions allow.
transit into deep water. The flow-through system, consisting of a
thermosalinograph to measure temperature and salinity and a fluometer to
measure chlorophyll-fluorescence were turned on about 14:00 UTC when water
depth was ~75 m. The flow-through system will continuously log data from
approximately the 3 m depth in 1 minute intervals.
approximately 1150 m depth to be taken. The cast was started at 22:14 UTC
when water depths of ~1250 were reached. The location was 27 15.6108' N 94
51.7656'W. A chlorophyll sample was taken to use in calibration of the
flow-through fluometer. S-tags with depth sensors were strapped to the CTD
frame. On the upcast, the CTD was stopped for about 10 minutes at depths of
5 m, 59 m, 257 m, 594 m, 937 m, and 1214 m. The CTD was recovered at 23:47
UTC. Tags were set to transmit their data to ARGOS on Saturday morning for
calibration.
starboard side. It was turned on and the 38 kHz ADCP was turned off. We plan
to run it until morning.
2005. The Ecologic hydrophone array was deployed on the port side, and the
3-D tracking hydrophone array was deployed on the starboard side. Both
arrays are being checked out. The visual team finished setting up its gear.
Both the acoustics and visual teams coordinated personnel today and trained
to the same sampling protocols.
our next way point about 3 hrs away. There we will complete the first XBT of
the cruise.
Date: June 2, 2005 10:20:07 PM CDT
Subject: S-tag Daily Report - 2 June 2005
R/V Gyre left the dock in Galveston, TX, at 20:00 on 2 June 2005.
We will steam all night and morning to reach our first way point at
27 22.3464'N 94 51.8480'W about mid-day on 3 June 2005.
The
science team consists of 23 people. At the way point we will
take at
CTD, deploy the passive acoustic hydrophone arrays, and, with the
visual acoustics team, begin to search for sperm whales in the
western
Gulf of Mexico. Weather is fine and seas are calm.
Ann
