More than 64 years ago, an unusual event occurred in the ocean—a series of quacking noises that resembled a distressed duck. This phenomenon, known as the “Bio-Duck,” was first detected by sailors on an Oberon-class submarine in 1960. Over the years, similar sounds were recorded in the waters near Australia and Antarctica, with a notable analysis conducted in the South Fiji Basin in 1982. While the source of these mysterious sounds remains a topic of debate, experts now propose a new theory suggesting that they could be a form of communication among underwater creatures.
Ross Chapman, a renowned ocean acoustics professor at the University of Victoria in Canada, believes that the Bio-Duck sounds may have originated from some type of marine animal.
“Initially, we were skeptical about the biological nature of the sound due to its consistency,” Chapman mentioned in a statement prior to the Acoustical Society of America’s annual meeting. “However, discussions with colleagues revealed similar sounds in various regions around Australia and New Zealand.”
Although Chapman was not present during the 1982 Bio-Duck incident, he began studying the recordings in 1986. Advancements in ocean acoustics since then have provided scientists with better tools to analyze and understand these underwater noises.
“During those early days, our understanding of ocean noise was limited,” Chapman explained. “However, delving into the Bio-Duck phenomenon significantly contributed to our knowledge of ocean bioacoustics.”
In the 1982 study, researchers utilized an acoustic antenna equipped with multiple hydrophones to track and identify the origins of underwater sounds. After carefully reviewing the data, Chapman and his team concluded that the Bio-Duck sounds were likely of biological origin.
“Our analysis uncovered valuable information about various underwater sounds, including those produced by marine mammals,” Chapman revealed.
[Related: A lone dolphin has been yelling into Baltic Sea for years.]
The specific species responsible for the Bio-Duck calls remains unknown, with many experts speculating that Antarctic Minke whales could be the culprits—or rather, a group of whales.
“We observed multiple speakers emitting these sounds from different locations in the ocean, seemingly engaged in a form of communication,” Chapman noted. “It was fascinating to witness the exchange of vocalizations among these creatures.”
Despite ongoing efforts to unravel the Bio-Duck mystery, the true nature of the conversation that took place in 1982 remains a mystery.
“Whether it was a discussion about food, parental guidance, or simply observations of passing ships, we may never fully comprehend the dialogue among those talkative marine mammals,” Chapman concluded.
