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Cuvier's Beaked Whale Presence Relative to Vertical and Temporal Variability of Oceanographic Conditions in the Southern California Bight
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  • Clara Schoenbeck,
  • Alba Solsona-Berga,
  • Peter Franks,
  • Kaitlin Frasier,
  • Jennifer Trickey,
  • Catalina Aguilar,
  • Isaac Schroeder,
  • Ana Sirovic,
  • Steven Bograd,
  • Ganesh Gopalakrishnan,
  • Simone Baumann-Pickering
Clara Schoenbeck
University of California San Diego

Corresponding Author:cschoenb@ucsd.edu

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Alba Solsona-Berga
University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Peter Franks
University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Kaitlin Frasier
University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Jennifer Trickey
University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Catalina Aguilar
University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Isaac Schroeder
NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center
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Ana Sirovic
Norwegian University of Science and Technology Department of Biology
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Steven Bograd
NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center
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Ganesh Gopalakrishnan
University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Simone Baumann-Pickering
University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Abstract

The oceanographic conditions of the Southern California Bight (SCB) dictate the distribution and abundance of prey resources and therefore the presence of mobile predators, such as Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Cuvier’s beaked whales are deep-diving odontocetes that spend a majority of their time foraging at depth. Due to their cryptic behavior, little is known about how they respond to seasonal and interannual changes in their environment. This study utilizes passive acoustic data recorded from two sites within the SCB to explore the oceanographic conditions that Cuvier’s beaked whales appear to favor. Utilizing optimum multiparameter analysis, modeled temperature and salinity data are used to identify and quantify these source waters: Pacific Subarctic Upper Water (PSUW), Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW), and Eastern North Pacific Central Water (ENPCW). The interannual and seasonal variability in Cuvier’s beaked whale presence was related to the variability in El Niño Southern Oscillation events and the fraction and vertical distribution of the three source waters. Cuvier’s beaked whale acoustic presence was highest during the winter and spring and decreased during the late summer and early fall. These seasonal increases occurred at times of increased fractions of PEW in the California Undercurrent and decreased fractions of ENPCW in surface waters. Interannual increases in Cuvier’s beaked whale presence occurred during El Niño events. These results establish a baseline understanding of the oceanographic characteristics that correlate with Cuvier’s beaked whale presence in the SCB. Furthering our knowledge of this elusive species is key to understanding how anthropogenic activities impact Cuvier’s beaked whales.
Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
12 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Apr 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
11 Jun 20241st Revision Received
12 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Accept