Summary
The study evaluated the reactions of a six-year old harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) to a banana pinger (Fishtek Marine Ltd.) in a controlled experiment at the SEAMARCO Research Institute in the Netherlands. The banana pinger sounds were comprised of signal blocks (duration ~0.5 s), each containing four frequency components (8–125 kHz; peak 70 kHz). Sounds were played back at mean received levels of 83, 89, 95, 101, and 107 dB re 1 μPa. Behavioral responses, including increased respiration rate, jumping, and swimming faster and farther away from the source, occurred from 95 dB re 1 μPa. At sea, distances at which harbor porpoises are deterred by pingers will depend on environmental parameters influencing sound propagation.