Testing Whales’ Hearing in the Norwegian Arctic

In May, a unique four-year project commences in Lofoten, Norway in which a Norwegian-American team of scientists are to close off parts of the Vest Fjord to capture minke whales alive and test their hearing.

The goal is to protect minke whales against man-made noise, such as sonars and seismic activity, according to Kyst og fjord.

The scientists are to set up at 1,300 meters long net across a strait by Vestvågøy island, where young minke whales pass through ever year on their way to feeding areas further north in the Barents Sea. The net is to lead the whale into a pool where it will remain for 24 hours to test its hearing. Upon this, the whale will be released into the wild again.