Publisher

Name

CAASM Metadata

Website

https://data.aad.gov.au/metadata/records/AAS_4102_longTermAcousticRecordings

Purpose

This multi-year initiative within the Australian Marine Mammal Centre aims to implement a focused acoustic research program that will examine Southern Ocean marine mammal population dynamics through the use of technologically advanced acoustic monitoring techniques. In order to achieve the aims of this study an international collaboration has been developed leading to a multi-faceted research program. Long-term autonomous sea-floor recording devices will be utilised to conduct year-round acoustic surveys in targeted locations. These data will be used to assess distribution, movement, vocalisation density, seasonality, and behaviour of cetaceans in Southern Ocean waters. These results can then be integrated with concurrently collected data on oceanographic and biological variables from vessel based surveys and remote satellite sensing leading to a larger understanding of the role of marine mammals in the Southern Ocean ecosystem. The Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP) is an international research program initiated within the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 2009 to promote collaborative cetacean research, develop novel research techniques, and conduct non-lethal research on whales in the Southern Ocean (SORP, 2009). One of the original research projects of the SORP is the Blue and Fin Whale Acoustic Trends Project, which aims to implement a long term passive acoustic research program to examine trends in Antarctic blue (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) and fin whale (B. physalus) abundance, distribution, and seasonal presence in the Southern Ocean through the use of a network of passive acoustic recorders: the Southern Ocean Hydrophone Network (SOHN). Networks of widely spaced passive acoustic recorders can provide insights in spatio-temporal patterns of the presence and properties of whale calls as well as the potential to monitor trends in Antarctic blue and fin whale abundance. The SOHN will consist of a network of autonomous underwater acoustic recording stations surrounding the Antarctic continent with each site remaining active throughout the duration of the project. In addition to circumpolar coverage, high priority will be given towards achieving simultaneous temporal coverage, especially in the early years of the project. While logistical constraints may prevent uniform distribution of SOHN recording sites around the continent, the Acoustic Trends Working group (ATW) aims to have at least one recording site in each of the six IWC management areas (i.e., one per 60° longitudinal wedge). International collaboration and coordination are imperative to achieve the project goals due to the high cost of Antarctic research as well as the broad spatial and temporal scales over which the SOHN will span. Furthermore, standardisation of data is paramount for accurate and efficient analysis and interpretation of SOHN data. These data represent Australia’s contribution to the IWC-SORP/SOOS Acoustic Trends Project and Southern Ocean Hydrophone Network.

Status

On going

Temporal resolution

PT0.0000833333S

Topic category

• Oceans
• Biota

Extent

N

S

E

W

Title

Calibrated underwater sound levels at two Antarctic recording sites : the seasonality of sounds from wind, ice, and marine mammals.

Date (Publication)

2016

Citation identifier

SC/66B/SH19