Acoustic and Visual Survey of Cetaceans in the Waters of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands: February – March 2001

A visual and acoustic survey for humpback whales and other cetaceans was conducted from 12 February to 8 March 2001 in the waters to the east of the Bahamas and around Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The survey utilized passive acoustic techniques (directional sonobuoys and a towed hydrophone array) to augment traditional visual surveys for cetaceans. Several previously unreported areas of humpback whale aggregation were discovered around Puerto Rico, off the east coast of the Dominican Republic, and east and southeast of the Virgin Islands. Samples of humpback whale song were obtained for stock analysis. Additional recordings from sperm whales, other cetaceans, and Atlantic thump trains were obtained. Lists of the species encountered and their distributions, and sounds recorded are presented in 4 tables and 24 figures that accompany the text.