Investigations of the potential effects of underwater noise from petroleum-industry activities on migrating gray-whale behavior. Phase 2: January 1984 migration

The study supplements work performed during 1983 in the Monterey, California region in determining the degree of behavioral response of migrating gray whales to acoustic stimuli associated with oil and gas exploration and development activities. A computer-implemented trackline program analyzed the theodolite data for any possible changes in distance from shore, speed, linearity of track, orientation toward the sound source, and course heading of the whale group. A history of marine seismic exploration off California was compiled that showed no long-term relationship with growth rates in the gray whale population.