Male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) ecology in the North Atlantic is characterised by unique patterns of habitat use and migration between high latitude feeding grounds and southern breeding areas. This population, severely impacted by historical whaling remains vulnerable to contemporary threats, and potentially emerging deep-sea mining operations. This study combines a literature review with an acoustic case study to examine male sperm whale ecology and assess potential mining impact in the Norwegian Sea.
The literature review analysed 297 studies on male sperm whale ecology, while a passive acoustic monitoring survey in the Norwegian sea was conducted using a towed hydrophone array across designated mining areas in August 2024. Literature analysis identified critical knowledge gaps. The case study documented the distribution of male sperm whales in the designated deep-sea mining area and confirmed this habitat's significance as a feeding ground. Acoustic monitoring detected active foraging behaviour through characteristic echolocation patterns and distinctive “creak” vocalisation, confirming intensive feeding activity within the proposed mining zone.
Results reveal future research directions in movement patterns, social behaviour dynamics, and acoustic disturbance response. The case study contributes to existing knowledge on sperm whale distribution in deep-sea mining areas, highlighting the need for comprehensive impact assessments before commercial-scale operations proceed. Findings emphasize that proceeding without proper cetacean assessments would abandon precautionary principles essential for marine conservation.
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