The secret life of humpback whales: ‘Gunshot’ call offers glimpse of their lives in the high seas 

Humpback whales have long been known to use a variety of noises to communicate with other members of their ‘pod’, but the meaning of these noises is often hard for humans to decipher.

Now, scientists have recorded a new selection of sounds, including one previously unknown call, which they claim could offer new insight into the ocean giants’ lives in the high seas.

The team from the universities of Exeter and Stellenbosch (South Africa), and Greenpeace Research Laboratories, recorded sounds at the Vema Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of miles west of South Africa.

Whale sounds are categorised into continuous ‘song’ and shorter ‘non-song’ calls – and the study recorded 600 non-song calls over 11 days.

These included an ‘impulsive sound’ – dubbed ‘gunshot’ by the researchers – that has never been recorded before.

They also captured ‘whup’ and ‘grumble’ calls, suggesting this location could be an important stop on the whales’ migration to polar feeding grounds.

The researchers say their study highlights the importance of current negotiations over a UN treaty to govern the high seas.   

Humpback whales have long been known to use a variety of noises to communicate with other members of their ‘pod’, but the meaning of these noises is often hard to humans to decipher 

Meet the humpback whale 

Humpback whales live in all oceans around the world. 

They travel great distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet. 

Some populations swim 5,000 miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder, more productive feeding grounds. 

Humpback whales feed on shrimp-like crustaceans (krill) and small fish, straining huge volumes of ocean water through their baleen plates, which act like a sieve.

Source: NOAA 

The expedition took place in November 2019 and used moored hydrophones to monitor humpbacks in the area. 

Most of the whale calls were detected during three consecutive nights, with low ‘whups’ the most common sound. 

The ‘whup’ is known to be used between mother-calf pairs as a contact call that helps them locate each other. 

Humpbacks also ‘whup’ whilst feeding, confirming Vema as an important feeding ground.

The grumbles, meanwhile, are social calls. Humpbacks make these calls during social interactions and sometimes to keep contact with each other over distances or at night. 

Sound travels well in water and so all whales and dolphins rely on vocal communication for their social interactions. 

The scientists admit they don’t yet know the significance of the ‘gunshot’ sound, but believe it could shed more light on what the humpbacks at the Vema Seamount are doing.

‘We still don’t fully understand what the “gunshot call” means, and it is fantastic to record it in humpback whales for the first time,’ said Dr Kirsten Thompson, of the University of Exeter.

‘It really shows how much we still have to learn about these incredible animals. 

‘Our study confirms that the whales passing Vema during their long journey across the oceans are feeding. 

‘Seamounts can provide rich habitat for all sorts of migratory species and we urgently need widespread protection of the global oceans to ensure these habitats can persist.’

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown 'impulsive sound' – dubbed the 'gunshot' by researchers – that has never been recorded before

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown ‘impulsive sound’ – dubbed the ‘gunshot’ by researchers – that has never been recorded before 

Dr Kirsten Thompson, of the University of Exeter, listens to whale sounds at the Vema Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean. The expedition took place in November 2019 and used moored hydrophones to monitor humpbacks in the area

Dr Kirsten Thompson, of the University of Exeter, listens to whale sounds at the Vema Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean. The expedition took place in November 2019 and used moored hydrophones to monitor humpbacks in the area

The location of the Vema Seamount (red star, panel 1) in relation to South Africa. Also shown: the approximate migration route of the humpback whale population along the Walvis Ridge (grey line). The eastern and western locations of the hydrophones are indicated with red stars (panels 2 and 3).

The location of the Vema Seamount (red star, panel 1) in relation to South Africa. Also shown: the approximate migration route of the humpback whale population along the Walvis Ridge (grey line). The eastern and western locations of the hydrophones are indicated with red stars (panels 2 and 3).

What is the BBNJ Treaty?

The BBNJ Treaty, also known as the ‘Treaty of the High Seas’, is an international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, currently under negotiation at the United Nations. 

This new treaty is being developed within the framework of the United Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the main international agreement governing human activities at sea. 

It aims to achieve a more holistic management of high seas activities, which should better balance the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. 

The area around the Vema Seamount was heavily overfished after its discovery in 1959, but it is now closed for fishing and is recognised as a vulnerable marine ecosystem due to its unique biodiversity.

However, no legally binding international agreements exist to protect the network of seamounts in the high seas, despite the fact that many are hotspots for biodiversity and are important for migrating species.

’50 years ago, governments came together to turn around the fate of humpback whales,’ said Dr Thompson.

‘Now they have a chance to secure the progress already made and protect the high-seas habitats that whales rely on.

‘While such large areas of our oceans remain unprotected, these ecosystems are highly vulnerable.

Will McCallum, Head of Oceans at Greenpeace, said the UN treaty currently under negotiation (called Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, or BBNJ) could pave the way to creating protected areas in the global oceans.

‘Once upon a time, the high seas were thought of as barren,’ he said.

‘Ground-breaking research like this shows not only that they are teeming with life, but that this wildlife migrates across the ocean, which is why we need to create a network of sanctuaries covering at least 30% of our oceans, including around areas like Mount Vema. 

‘The recovery of humpback whales is one of the most iconic success stories of global cooperation to protect nature: now they need a Global Ocean Treaty to help protect them for good.’

HUMPBACK WHALE POPULATIONS AND THEIR THREATS

Humpback whales live in oceans around the world. They travel incredible distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet. 

Some populations swim 5,000 miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder, plentiful feeding grounds – this is why it is difficult to estimate population size, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Of the 14 distinct populations, 12 are estimated to number more than 2,000 humpback whales each and two are estimated to number fewer than 2,000. 

Humpback whales live in oceans around the world. They travel incredible distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet

Humpback whales live in oceans around the world. They travel incredible distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet

Some populations (such as those off eastern and western Australia) are believed to number in excess of 20,000 animals—a remarkable recovery given that the same populations were almost eradicated by whaling almost sixty years ago. 

By contrast, the smallest known population is one which inhabits the Arabian Sea year-round, and may number as few as 80 individuals. 

Threats to humpback whales include decline in food like Krill due to a combination of climate change and industrial-scale fishing.

Humpback whales can become entangled by many different gear types including moorings, traps, pots, or gillnets. 

Once entangled, if they are able to move the gear, the whale may drag and swim with attached gear for long distances, ultimately resulting in fatigue, compromised feeding ability, or severe injury. 

There is evidence to suggest that most humpback whales experience entanglement over the course of their lives, but are often able to shed the gear on their own. 

Inadvertent vessel strikes can injure or kill humpback whales. 

Humpback whales are vulnerable to vessel strikes throughout their range, but the risk is much higher in some coastal areas with heavy ship traffic. 

Underwater noise threatens whale populations, interrupting their normal behaviour and driving them away from areas important to their survival. 

Sound has been shown to increase stress hormones in their system and mask the natural sounds humpback whales require to communicate and locate prey. 

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