Interaction between offshore seismic exploration and whales - EPBC Act Policy Statement 2.1

Abstract

Sound is very important to whales and dolphins for effective hunting, navigation and communication. Toothed whales and dolphins (e.g killer whales and bottle nose dolphins) use natural sonar system (echolocation) for hunting and navigating Baleen whales (e.g humpback and blue whales) use sound for communicating over long distances by producing a series of sounds which are frequently termed songs.