André, M., Terada, M., Watanabe, Y. Sperm Whale Behavioural Response after the Playback of Artificial Sounds Rep.Int.Whal.Comm., vol 47, p.499-504, 1997 Résumé: Shipping has been responsible recently for many collisions with cetaceans in the Canary Islands, particularly sperm whales which are present throughout the years in these waters. A series of experiments, including the playback of artificial sounds of different frequencies, was conducted to test a system designed to try and deter sperm whales from occupying the ferry routes. The main purpose of these preliminary tests was to observe the behavioural responses of the whales and try to assess the potential of this method to protect both the whales and the ferries. The results showed that the whales did not react to low frequency playbacks which suggests that sperm whales from an area which has heavy vessel traffic have a high tolerance for noise. Developing a solution to the problem of accidental collisions, lies in a better understanding of the hearing sensitivity of the local populations of whales in order to determine whether a warning or scaring sound could have a long term effect to keep them apart efficiently from the ferries without harming them or inducing them to leave a valuable area Projet: Study of the impact of shipping on sperm whale populations: noise level and Controlled Exposure Experiments