Identification of Orcinus orca by underwater acoustics in Dabob Bay

Acoustic vocalizations were recorded from a pod of Orcinus orca under uncontrolled conditions in Dabob Bay, Washington. The animals were not contained, controlled or prompted. This recording was made of wild resident Orcas while they were actively vocalizing in the vicinity of a permanent hydrophone array. The acquisition system is a permanently moored array of omni-phones used by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport for acquiring and analyzing torpedo and ship radiated noise. The ecology of the Dabob Bay area and information about the acquisition system is included. Orca vocalization and specific examples comparing known vocalizations to the recordings are described. The acoustic output was compared to acoustic vocalizations and compared well with the j-pod known to reside in the Puget Sound area.