Numerous marine organisms use sounds for communication, reproduction, and to seek prey! Just as a microphone collects sound in the air, hydrophones detect acoustic signals under water. Today we deployed the hydrophone multiple times to let our customers hear the acoustic environment of the canyon, also in the hope of coming across the clicks of a group of sperm whales! Sperm whales typically gather at deep canyons like the Bremer Canyon, to socialise, mate and hunt food sources no other predator can reach! Sperm whales clicking vocalizations are the loudest sound produced by ANY animal! Sperm whales produce these vocalizations through their waxy spermaceti organ in their cranium! The spermaceti is a highly impressive organ that holds dual purposes, one being the ability to mediate buoyancy through the changing density of the waxy substance, increasing their energy economy on deep dives! The spermaceti also has VERY complex acoustical features which are utilised as their own inbuilt bio-sonar to hone in on their prey!!!! HOW COOL ARE THESE ANIMALS!!!!!! I know our tours promote the animal which holds the highest spot on the food chain, the ORCA!!! But we see many other magnificent creatures inhabiting the canyon and the sperm whale is just one! We came across a sunfish today and this is happening MUCH more frequently than any other year! Stay tuned for more information on these giant bony fish AND what else we come across that lurks the deep blue waters of the sub-basin!!!
