Underwater microphone to study whales, orcas in Georgia Strait

Port Metro Vancouver is hoping a new underwater listening station will help understand the impact shipping is having on whales and orcas in Georgia Strait.

The hydrophone was manoeuvred into position under in the inbound shipping lane earlier this week by Ocean Networks Canada's exploration vessel Nautilus using a remote operated submarine vehicle.

Next the Pacific Pilotage Authority and the British Columbia Coast Pilots will maneuver as many deep sea vessels as possible over top, so that scientists with Project ECHO can monitor how much sound vessels make as they pass by

The data will help scientists understand the different levels of underwater noise created by different types of vessels, and allow testing of possible solutions, such as cleaning ship hulls to reduce underwater noise.

Tom Dakin from Ocean Networks Canada said research started yesterday is crucial to the conservation of the marine animals, including the endangered southern resident orca population.

• Oceans Network Canada

"The orcas use sonar to find prey, so if they made a click in the water it bounces off the swim bladder of a chinook salmon and you get this tiny echo back. Whales use that to hone in on prey."

Aside from disrupting hunting patterns, noise from vessels can also affect a pod's ability to stay together. Too much noise and whales can end up lost and unable to communicate, he said.

Send us your orca photos and video to cbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca