Fin (Balaenoptera physalus), blue (B. musculus) and sei whales (B. borealis) are regular seasonal visitors to the Azores Archipelago. The constant growth of economic activities such as tourism and fishing are increasing the underwater noise in the area and potentially masking the acoustic signals these whales produce. The goal of this study was to assess the overlap between shipping noise and the vocalisations of these three species of baleen whales and to discuss the potential implications to the vocal behaviour of these species. Vocalizations that are part of songs such as fin whale 20-Hz and blue whale A calls were found more frequently during winter, and calls not associated with songs, were more present during spring and autumn. In general, fin and sei whale vocalizations had the higher overlap with ship noise, respectively during 20.2% and 22.2% of the time, while blue whales had only 6.9%. All call types were overlapped with ship noise but fin whale 40-Hz and sei whale calls had the highest overlap with 22.5% and 22.2%. This study provides useful scientific information to develop future management plans of the underwater noise in the Faial-Pico Channel for the conservation of baleen whales.
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