On a foggy July morning, the RV Mike Reigle found itself navigating the waters off San Francisco, just as eyes turned toward Alcatraz during a visit from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
While news helicopters circled and tourists flocked to Pier 39, the four-person crew aboard the Reigle was focused on an entirely different mission: studying the impact of boat interactions on the behavior of local whales.
This outing marked the fifth expedition for the research team since launching their project in June, which aims to gather crucial data on how marine mammals navigate the heavily trafficked waters of the bay.
During each outing, the researchers anchor at one of five designated locations and record a 30-minute acoustic sample underwater while simultaneously observing the boats and wildlife above.
These acoustic samples will be analyzed over time to uncover any behavioral differences in whales migrating through the area, which is known for its significant boat traffic.
The day’s activities came amidst a backdrop of summer fog that blanketed the scenery.
Despite the weather, the eclectic research team radiated positivity, with Ray Duran, the veteran mariner and founder of BayQuest, steering the operation with enthusiasm.
Duran, who filmed the project with his iPhone, was joined by Melissa Schouest and Kevin McEligot, directors of animal care at Aquarium of the Bay.
Recently tending to the Reigle’s hull, Schouest and McEligot bore small cuts on their hands as badges of their hard work.
Schouest remarked on the hidden wonders beneath San Francisco’s typically murky waters, believing that tourists seeking the area’s beauty might find rewarding experiences if they looked a little deeper.
Meanwhile, Jason Blair, a naturalist with National Geographic and director of BayQuest, filled the air with insights about marine life as he stood on the deck, surveying the waters.
Blair entertained questions about the local wildlife, explaining how gulls often follow the Reigle in search of the air currents created by the vessel’s movement.
He noted a similar phenomenon among dolphins, which have adapted to swim in the slipstreams produced by boats.
However, the team’s primary focus centered on the mysterious world of whales.
With the deep-sea environment being devoid of large solid objects, researchers are still trying to understand how these majestic creatures perceive vessels.
Do they see them as another whale or respond in some other way?
Blair highlighted the growing concerns surrounding whale safety, citing vessel strikes as a primary threat to local populations.
He reaffirmed that at least eight out of nearly two dozen whale deaths reported in the Bay Area this year were suspected to be caused by collisions with vessels.
From spring to fall, whales migrate to the Greater Farallones marine sanctuary to feed, and recent observations indicate an uptick in whale sightings around the bay.
Scientists are still examining whether this increase signifies a healthy ecosystem or if whales are being forced out of their usual habitats.
As the Reigle journeyed under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, where sound travels further in the deeper waters, the crew anchored between Marshall’s Beach and Kirby Cove.
Duran deployed a marine sensing system by tossing it overboard, unraveling the accompanying cord as it sank into the depths.
Whales rely heavily on sound for hunting, communication, and navigation, making the underwater environment critical for their survival.
To better understand this underwater world, the researchers utilized a device equipped with underwater microphones and machine learning technology to capture and analyze noise levels beneath the waves.
While this technology recorded sounds below, the Reigle’s crew documented the activity transpiring above deck, making note of passing boats and the seabird population.
Large flocks of cormorants were observed, with their numbers ranging from small groups to clusters of 70 gliding just below the bridge.
The researchers diligently counted these birds, realizing their ecological importance despite not being the primary focus of the study.
Duran emphasized that understanding the broader ecosystem can yield valuable data, even as the team focuses on whales.
The research project’s outcomes remain uncertain, pending collaboration with academic advisors from institutions like Cornell University, the University of Washington, and CalMaritime Academy.
Schouest reflected on the journey, stating, “What it will do and where it will go, I don’t know, but I’m happy to be a part of it.”
In an era marked by environmental concerns, this expedition exemplifies the intersection of research, conservation, and the captivating mystery of marine life in San Francisco Bay.
image source from：missionlocal
