Whale SETI: Pioneering encounter with humpback whales reveals potential for non-human intelligent communication

 A group of scientists from the SETI Institute, the University of California, Davis, and the Alaska Whale Foundation had a close encounter with non-human (aquatic) intelligence. The Whale-SETI team studied the communication systems of humpback whales to develop intelligence filters to search for extraterrestrial intelligence. When the humpback whale was called into the sea by an underwater loudspeaker, the humpback whale approached the group's boat responding to the whale's "hello signal" in a conversational style. In exchange, Twain answered each repeat call and reconciled the differences between each signal.

A description and analysis of the encounter is published in a recent issue of Peer J. entitled: "Interactive bioacoustic reproduction as a tool to detect and study non-human intelligence: a 'conversation' with an Alaskan humpback whale." "We believe this is the first such communication between humans and humpback whales using a humpback 'tongue,'" said lead author Dr. Brenda McCowan of U.C. Davis. "Humpback whales are highly intelligent, have complex social systems, make tools—from cups to nets to catch fish—and communicate extensively through both song and social calls," said co-author Dr. Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation.
"Given the current technological limitations, an important assumption in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrials are interested in contacting and thus targeting human receptors. This important assumption is certainly supported by the behavior of humpback whales," said Dr. Laurance Doyle of SET. Institute, author of the work.
In addition to Antarctica as a proxy for Mars, the Whale-SETI team is investigating intelligent terrestrial non-human communication systems to develop filters that can be applied to any received extraterrestrial signals. The mathematics of information theory is used to quantify communication complexity - (eg, the rule structure embedded in a received message). Other team members and authors of the paper include Dr. Josie Hubbard, Lisa Walker, and Jodi Frediani, who specialize in animal intelligence, humpback whale analysis, and humpback whale imaging and behavior. Another paper from the group will be available soon on the non-vocal communication behavior of humpback whales - bubble rings made in the presence of (and possibly for) humans. The authors would like to thank the Templeton Foundation's Multiple Intelligences Program for financial support of this work.