Cetacean occurrence offshore of Washington from long-term passive acoustic monitoring

Abstract A variety of cetacean species inhabit the productive waters offshore Washington State, USA. Although general presence many these has been documented in this region, our understanding fine-scale habitat use is limited. Here, passive acoustic monitoring was used to investigate spatial and temporal distributions ten at three locations Washington. Between 2004 2013, a total 2845 days recordings were collected from sites on continental shelf slope, submarine canyon. Acoustic higher for all farther offshore. Detections highest during fall winter blue ( Balaenoptera musculus ), fin B. physalus humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae likely related reproductive behavior, while minke acutorostrata ) only detected two days. Odontocetes showed separation, with sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus detections spring, Risso’s Grampus griseus Pacific white-sided dolphins Lagenorhynchus obliquidens summer, Stejneger’s beaked Mesoplodon stejnegeri Cuvier’s Ziphius cavirostris BW37V signal type or spring. There interannual variation most mysticete species, which may be linked oceanographic conditions: increased 2007 2008, 2011. These results inform behavior region aid development conservation strategies suited dynamic conditions that drive distribution.