Vema Seamount News Today

Today we’re looking at two stories that show how bioacoustics research is helping us better understand the lives of marine mammals — and we take a listen to some of the recordings informing that research. Listen here: We’re big fans of bioacoustics here at the Mongabay Newscast — it’s a fascinating way to learn about […]

Mongabay seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics,and finance on conservation and development.

Mongabay seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics,and finance on conservation and development.

In 2019, researchers sailed to a sprawling seamount off the coast of South Africa, and lowered hydrophones to the seafloor. They picked up all kinds of noises: waves, the crackling of the reef, dolphin clicks and whistles, and an assortment of humpback whale calls. Mixed in with the humpback sounds were noises reminiscent of gunshots. Right […]

Sounds made by humpback whales—including a previously unknown call—have given researchers a glimpse of their lives in the high seas.

Whups, grumbles, whup-grumbles and tonals are the names of some of the whale calls picked up by researchers and serve as clues to understand the area's significance.

The team from the universities of Exeter and Stellenbosch and Greenpeace recorded sounds at the Vema Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean.