Just as the whales are attracted to our bay, we are attracted to the whales, and whale watching is one of Puerto Vallarta’s main attractions. But how about whale listening?
Over 50 years ago, Roger and Kathy Payne produced a multi-platinum record album of recorded whale songs called “Songs of the Humpback Whale.” This production was very helpful to raise awareness of many aspects on the subject of whales, such as their endangered situation, breeding and migration patterns, and the amazing realization that they communicate with each other through their song.
And hence, that awareness led to the eventual ban on whale hunting! You can listen to some of their recorded sounds at the following Cornell website:
https://alumni.cornell.edu/snack-bar/whale-song-recordings/
For the past ten years, Dr. Michele Fournet of Cornell University has continued her own studies on whale songs, with research based on acoustic ecology, meaning using sound to investigate questions of ecological importance. This includes investigating how marine organisms use sound to facilitate vital life functions, as well as investigating the potential impact of noise on marine species, and how sound can be used as an indicator of ecosystem health.
Her research has focused on Humpback Whale non-song communication, or social sounds. She combines passive acoustic monitoring with land-based visual observations to try to learn how humpback whales may be utilizing and/or interacting with the natural soundscape; to gain insight into whale call use, whale call function, and acoustic adaptability, as well as to assess the impact of vessel noise on Humpback Whale vocal behavior.
Within the studying of these social sounds, it is Dr. Fournet’s dream to decode them at least enough to allow some basic communication between humans and whales. Her efforts are considered highly successful, and are featured in the Apple Video “FATHOM.” You can watch the trailer on Youtube:
Working together with teams from Alaska and the Polynesian Islands, the Bay of Banderas will become a third site for a monitoring station to record whale sounds. A team of local competent marine professionals, including Marine Biologist Thalia Martinez, and a group of professors and students from the University of Guadalajara, will be trained on professional marine acoustical equipment of broadcast quality. Under the supervision of Dr. Fournet, the local team will record and broadcast messages to and from Humpback Whales and their offspring. You can listen to some whale social sounds recorded by Dr. Fournet, and find out more about her, on her website:
https://michellefournet.wordpress.com/sounds/
Financial support for the Bay of Banderas project has been granted thanks to the NAFTA Development Center, to develop on-site training and to cover the cost of the special acoustical equipment.
Additional financing is planned to be achieved through educational modules and workshops offered to the public through “El Camino Al Futuro,” and through the sales of posters of the Ballena Con Cria Statue in the Marina signed by the artist, to cover additional costs including 2 boats and their motors.
To Contact Whale Song Banderas Bay, you can email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.