Studies of the effects of experimentally produced noise associated with oil and gas exploration and development on sea otters in California. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5216851

Riedman, M L

During the winter 1983 tape-recorded industrial noises associated with offshore oil and gas operations were projected underwater at Soberanes Point, California. Seismic-exploration sounds were produced using a multiple air gun array (4000 cu. in) and a single air gun (100 cu. in) along a 10-15 km transect paralleling the coastline from Rocky Point to Yankee Point. The behavior, density, and distribution of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) within the vicinity of the sound projection area were not affected by the acoustic experiments. Foraging and diving behaviors of sea otters were normal and undisturbed. There were no movements of otters away from the sound source or out of the sound projection vicinity during either the winter or spring acoustic experiments.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Santa Cruz (USA). Center for Coastal Marine Studies; Minerals Management Service, Anchorage, AK (USA). Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Office
• OSTI ID: 5216851
• Report Number(s): PB-86-218575/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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