Characterizing behavior and distribution of salmonids and whales in offshore marine waters of washingtonproject period: 08 22 2024 - 09 30 2025PROJECT abstract summary: the proposed work would provide…

This federal Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Research Units (CFDA 15.812) program provides $377,343.39 to Oregon State University (OSU) from August 2024 to September 2025. The project will characterize the behavior and distribution of salmonids and whales in offshore marine waters off the Washington coast, using passive acoustic listening stations and acoustic transmitting tags. The key deliverables include an annual technical report, a final report, and electronic data collected during the study. The intended beneficiaries are the U.S. Navy and NOAA, as the research will provide new information on the occurrence of whales and salmonids within the Pacific Northwest range areas of naval activity, allowing for protective measures while enabling training and testing activities.

Characterizing behavior and distribution of salmonids and whales in offshore marine waters of washingtonproject period: 08 22 2024 - 09 30 2025PROJECT abstract summary: the proposed work would provide vital geographic and distributional data on salmonids and killer whales within the navys range areas, allowing the flexibility to proceed with training and testing while providing protective measures for species of conservation concern. This project will provide training for postdoctoral scholars at oregon state university. Activities to be performed - this project will use passive acoustic listening stations to characterize the occurrence of killer whales and baleen whales off the washington coast. Recipient will use acoustic transmitting tags and receivers to characterize the occurrence of bull trout and other salmonids off the washington coast. Deliverables and expected outcomes -the deliverables include an annual technical report, a final report, and electronic copies of the data collected during the study. The expected outcome is that recipient will provide new information regarding the occurrence of whales and salmonids within the pacific northwest range areas of naval activity. Intended beneficiary(IES) -US navy, NOAA, OSU