Assessing Cetacean Responses to Seismic Surveys with an Individual-Based Integrative Approach

Seismic surveys are among the most intense anthropogenic noises in the ocean. Yet, the impacts of low-frequency pulses from seismic air guns on cetaceans remain uncertain, and the mechanisms underlying individual responses and population-level consequences are still poorly understood. This chapter discusses key knowledge gaps in cetacean responses to seismic surveys and highlights how emerging technologies can be combined to support integrative approaches that bridge disciplines like behavior, acoustics, health, and physiology. An example of such an approach is the MARESIS project (Individual Responses of Cetaceans to Seismic), developed in Brazilian waters, a region hosting a large and expanding oil and gas industry, a very diverse community of cetaceans, and a growing population of humpback whales. The sampling design and field efforts involve sequential data collection on focal individuals, resulting in numerous cetaceans being tagged with archival biologging devices, as well as the collection of blow samples, biopsies, and photogrammetry data. Multiple species were assessed in 2024 and 2025, primarily humpback whales. However, significant challenges and opportunities remain in implementing multi-method and multi-platform data collection within a quasi-experimental framework. Addressing these challenges may enable a more comprehensive assessment of cetacean responses to marine seismic surveys and support effective management of this activity.