Initial 5 burning questions

  1. Vessel traffic and anthropogenic sound: a. What is the relationship between the type of vessel and the vocal response of the whales. (Which vessel has the greatest effect on acoustics, fishing boats, whale watching boats, naval ships, tankers, etc.)? b. Looking at the different responses by age and sex, individual or group. c. Comparing the frequency of the sound emitted by the different boats and the frequency of the various whale calls. d. The effect of vessel noise on the communication between killer whales

  2. Looking at the development of calf vocalization: a. The relationship between mother and calf. Vocalization used for recognition, communication, etc. How unique/specific are these sounds to this relationship. b. Learned behavior, innate, imprinting period, "unlearning." How calls vary with the age and sex of the whale. How they vary with social standing of the whale. c. Comparing vocal traditions, between calves, juveniles, and adults, and also over time.

  3. Analyzing which calls are used for foraging: a. Determining which calls are used for echolocation and foraging versus communication. How often, at what frequency, and how long these calls are made.

  4. Determining what call determines what surface behavior: a. Looking at patterns of calls before, after and during an observed surface behavior. b. Linking which calls, if any, signal a specific action. If it then starts a chain of other similar calls and actions with in the pod.

  5. Finding specific calls that determine movement or change in activity: a. Determining if there is a certain call or sequence of calls that determine when a change in location or a change in activity occurs. Who determines this, the matriarch or the collective group. How this changes over time. b. Comparing patterns of calls at times around (before, during and after) a change in activity, location, or other movement.

Final 5 burning questions