SIDE-SCAN SONAR RECORDS AND DIVER OBSERVATIONS OF THE GRAY WHALE (ESCHRICHTIUS ROBUSTUS) FEEDING GROUNDS

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Abstract
Gray whales (E. robustus) excavate infaunal invertebrates and sediment by suction, producing many large depressions in the sea floor. Diver observations indicate that side-scan sonar provides accurate estimates of the size of feeding excavations and the area of bottom covered by excavations (> 30% of the bottom). Although side scan does not detect some excavations because of their small size (particularly < 3 m2) or their orientation with respect to the side-scan track, it gives a quantitative impression of the relative intensity of bottom disturbance by whales. This disturbance is directly related to whales'' habitat and prey utilization.

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