Gulf of Mexico Sperm Whale Acoustic Prey Study

Large vessel surveys were conducted during the summer of 2009 and the winter of 2010 in the north-central Gulf of Mexico to examine the spatial distribution of sperm whales and to collect data on potential midwater prey. The vessel surveys included both visual and passive acoustic data collection to document the presence of sperm whales. Physical oceanographic data was collected to characterize the presence of eddies and other mesoscale physical features that have the potential to concentrate both sperm whales and their prey. Midwater trawls were deployed to collect specimens of midwater squids to identify likely prey items. These data are used to characterize the midwater prey community that supports sperm whale populations in the Gulf of Mexico.