Spatio-temporal summer distribution of Cumberland Sound beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Clearwater Fiord, Nunavut, Canada (PDF)

Booy, K.V., X. Mouy, S.H. Ferguson, and M. Marcoux

Arctic Science 7: 394–412 (2021)

DOI: 10.1139/as-2019-0031

The Cumberland Sound (Nunavut, Canada) beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) population has been designated as threatened and updated biological information about summer distribution is required for a sound recovery plan. Variation in aerial survey counts are speculated to occur due to movement of belugas in and out of the fiord, and there is still uncertainty related to their distribution within key summer habitat. To address these knowledge gaps, non-invasive passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) systems were deployed in August of 2010 and 2011. An automated detector was used to determine presence/absence and quantify calls by recorder site. Results were verified by partial manual analysis of 20% of the files. The detector had a minimum accuracy of 85% for presence/absence and 42% for call quantification. Belugas were detected primarily at the uppermost site of Clearwater Fiord, with detections subsiding with increasing proximity to the fiord entrance. Diel variation in call patterns were quantified at two separate sites in different years, but no correlation was observed between tidal cycles and number of detections. This study indicates that Cumberland Sound beluga may prefer sites at the head of Clearwater Fiord. Further research is required to identify which environmental variables contribute to this observed summer distribution.

Temperature-driven seasonal and longer term changes in spatially averaged deep ocean ambient sound at frequencies 63–125 Hz (PDF)

Ainslie, M.A., R.K. Andrew, B.M. Howe, and J.A. Mercer

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 149: 2531–2545 (2021)

DOI: 10.1121/10.0003960

The soundscape of the Northeast Pacific Ocean is studied with emphasis on frequencies in the range 63–125 Hz. A 34-year (1964–1998) increase and seasonal fluctuations (1994–2006) are investigated. This is achieved by developing a simple relationship between the total radiated power of all ocean sound sources and the spatially averaged mean-square sound pressure in terms of the average source factor, source depth, and sea surface temperature (SST). The formula so derived is used to predict fluctuations in the sound level in the range 63–125 Hz with an amplitude of 1.2 dB and a period of 1 year associated with seasonal variations in the SST, which controls the amount of sound energy trapped in the sound fixing and ranging (SOFAR) channel. Also investigated is an observed 5 dB increase in the same frequency range in the Northeast Pacific Ocean during the late 20th century [Andrew, Howe, Mercer, and Dzieciuch (2002). ARLO 3, 65–70]. The increase is explained by the increase in the total number of ocean-going ships and their average gross tonnage.

The Accuracy of Bearing Estimates of Wideband Signals Produced by Marine Animals

Urazghildiiev, I.R., B. Martin, and D.E. Hannay

IEEE J. Ocean. Eng. 46: 1057-1067 (2021)

DOI: 10.1109/JOE.2020.3040703

The problem of estimating bearings of impulsive wideband acoustic signals produced by vocalizing animals and received by a compact array of synchronized sensors is addressed. The accuracy provided by the maximum-likelihood (ML), the beamformer (BF), and the time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) based estimators is evaluated by simulations and in situ tests and compared with the Cramér-Rao bounds. Test results demonstrated that the ML estimator and BF provided similar bearing estimation accuracy for all types of signals. They are more accurate than the TDOA-based estimator for mid- and low-frequency impulsive signals. The accuracy of the TDOA-based estimates comes close to the ML- and BF-based estimates when the signal bandwidth increases. TDOA-based estimators outperformed the BFs and the ML algorithms when estimating the bearings of clicks. The empirical standard deviations provided by the ML/BF and TDOA-based estimators were 0.2° ...3° and 2°...70° for mid- and low-frequency impulsive signals and 5.0° and 0.6° for clicks, respectively.

Underwater Target Localization Using Opportunistic Ship Noise Recorded on a Compact Hydrophone Array (PDF)

Mirzaei Hotkani, M., J.-F. Bousquet, S.A. Seyedin, B. Martin, and E. Malekshahi

Acoustics 3: 611-629 (2021)

DOI: 10.3390/acoustics3040039

In this research, a new application using broadband ship noise as a source-of-opportunity to estimate the scattering field from the underwater targets is reported. For this purpose, a field trial was conducted in collaboration with JASCO Applied Sciences at Duncan’s Cove, Canada in September 2020. A hydrophone array was deployed in the outbound shipping lane at a depth of approximately 71 m to collect broadband noise data from different ship types and effectively localize the underwater targets. In this experiment, a target was installed at a distance (93 m) from the hydrophone array at a depth of 25 m. In this study, a matched field processing (MFP) algorithm is utilized for localization. Different propagation models are presented using Green’s function to generate the replica signal; this includes normal modes in a shallow water waveguide, the Lloyd-mirror pattern for deep water, as well as the image model. We use the MFP algorithm with different types of underwater environment models and a proposed estimator to find the best match between the received signal and the replica signal. Finally, by applying the scatter function on the proposed multi-channel cross correlation coefficient time-frequency localization algorithm, the location of target is detected.

An Assessment of the Potential Risks of Seismic Surveys to Affect Snow Crab Resources (PDF)

C. J. Morris, D. Cote, B. Martin, R Saunders-Lee, M. Rise, and J. Hanlon

Environmental Studies Research Funds report ; 220

publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.910796&sl=0

Concerns were expressed by Snow Crab harvesters in the Newfoundland and Labrador region about the potential impacts of seismic oil and gas surveying on catch rates near commercial fishing areas. The impacts of ocean noise are a known societal concern, heightened by significant gaps in ecological understanding of the potential existing and future long-term effects on marine life. This study, funded by the Environmental Studies Research Fund (ESRF), was conducted in collaboration with local stakeholders, with significant participation from the snow crab fishing industry, from the planning stages through to completion. The purpose of this project was to examine effects of seismic exploration on the commercial Snow Crab fishery.

Vocal behavior of the endangered splendid toadfish and potential masking by anthropogenic noise (PDF)

Pyć , C.D., J. Vallarta , A.N. Rice, D.G. Zeddies, E.E. Maxner, and S.L. Denes

Conservation Science and Practice 3(5): e352 (2021)

DOI: 10.1111/csp2.352

Vessel‐related noise is a potential stressor for coral reef fauna. The Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel (PNAC) is a Mexican Marine Protected Area that is exposed to pervasive vessel traffic. PNAC is also the primary range of splendid toadfish (Sanopus splendidus, family Batrachoididae), an IUCN red‐listed soniferous fish for which vessel noise may represent a threat. We conducted a passive acoustic monitoring survey during summer of 2017 at Paraiso Reef in PNAC and obtained the first scientific recordings from splendid toadfish, enabling a vocal characterization of the species. We simultaneously collected data on sound levels of vessels passing near the reef. High noise levels of cruise ship and small motorboat traffic caused elevated anthropogenic sound pressure levels for up to 15 hr per day in the same bandwidth as toadfish vocalizations. A single cruise ship added up to 4 dB above nighttime ambient levels while small motorboat traffic added up to 7 dB. The overlap of toadfish vocalizations and vessel‐related noise highlights the susceptibility of splendid toadfish to acoustic masking and reduction in communication space throughout the day, warranting further study. Because acoustic communication is critical to toadfish reproductive success, noise from cruise ships and small motorboats may threaten splendid toadfish individuals or population viability.

Application of damped cylindrical spreading to assess range to injury threshold for fishes from impact pile driving (PDF)

Ainslie, M.A., M.B. Halvorsen, R.A.J. Müller, and T. Lippert

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 148: 108–121 (2020)

DOI: 10.1121/10.0001443

Environmental risk assessment for impact pile driving requires characterization of the radiated sound field. Damped cylindrical spreading (DCS) describes propagation of the acoustic Mach cone generated by striking a pile and predicts sound exposure level (L_E) versus range. For known water depth and sediment properties, DCS permits extrapolation from a measurement at a known range. Impact assessment criteria typically involve zero-to-peak sound pressure level (L_p,pk), root-mean-square sound pressure level (L_p,rms), and cumulative sound exposure level (L_E,cum). To facilitate predictions using DCS, L_p,pk and L_p,rms were estimated from L_E using empirical regressions. Using a wind farm construction scenario in the North Sea, DCS was applied to estimate ranges to recommended thresholds in fishes. For 3500 hammer strikes, the estimated L_E,cum impact ranges for mortal and recoverable injury were up to 1.8 and 3.1 km, respectively. Applying a 10 dB noise abatement measure, these distances reduced to 0.29 km for mortal injury and 0.65 km for recoverable injury. An underlying detail that produces unstable results is the averaging time for calculating L_p,rms, which by convention is equal to the 90%-energy signal duration. A stable alternative is proposed for this quantity based on the effective signal duration.

Application of kurtosis to underwater sound (PDF)

Müller, R.A.J., A.M. von Benda-Beckmann, M.B. Halvorsen, and M.A. Ainslie

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 148: 780–792 (2020)

DOI: 10.1121/10.0001631

Regulations for underwater anthropogenic noise are typically formulated in terms of peak sound pressure, root-mean-square sound pressure, and (weighted or unweighted) sound exposure. Sound effect studies on humans and other terrestrial mammals suggest that in addition to these metrics, the impulsiveness of sound (often quantified by its kurtosis β) is also related to the risk of hearing impairment. Kurtosis is often used to distinguish between ambient noise and transients, such as echolocation clicks and dolphin whistles. A lack of standardization of the integration interval leads to ambiguous kurtosis values, especially for transient signals. In the current research, kurtosis is applied to transient signals typical for high-power underwater noise. For integration time (t_2−t_1), the quantity (t_2−t_1)/β is shown to be a robust measure of signal duration, closely related to the effective signal duration, τ_eff for sounds from airguns, pile driving, and explosions. This research provides practical formulas for kurtosis of impulsive sounds and compares kurtosis between measurements of transient sounds from different sources.

Assessing auditory masking for management of underwater anthropogenic noise (PDF)

Pine, M.K., K. Nikolich, B. Martin, C. Morris, and F. Juanes

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 147: 3408-3417 (2020)

DOI: 10.1121/10.0001218

Masking is often assessed by quantifying changes, due to increasing noise, to an animal's communication or listening range. While the methods used to measure communication or listening ranges are functionally similar if used for vocalizations, they differ in their approaches: communication range is focused on the sender's call, while the listening range is centered on the listener's ability to perceive any signal. How these two methods differ in their use and output is important for management recommendations. Therefore it was investigated how these two methods may alter the conclusions of masking assessments based on Atlantic cod calls in the presence of a commercial air gun array. The two methods diverged with increasing distance from the masking noise source with maximum effects lasting longer between air gun pulses in terms of communication range than listening range. Reductions in the cod's communication ranges were sensitive to fluctuations in the call's source level. That instability was not observed for the listening range. Overall, changes to the cod's communication range were more conservative but very sensitive to the call source level. A high level of confidence in the call is therefore required, while confidence in the receiver's audiogram and soundscape is required for the listening range method.

Effects of 3D seismic surveying on the snow crab fishery (PDF)

Morris, C.J., D. Cote, S.B. Martin, and D. Mullowney

Fisheries Research 232: 105719 (2020)

DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105719

• This study was conducted approximately 350 km offshore along the Canadian continental slope, to examine effects of seismic surveying noise on commercial snow catch rates.

• A realistic field experiment incorporated industry-based 3D seismic oil and gas exploration surveying and commercial snow crab fishing, into a replicated before-after-control-impact study design.

Commercial Snow Crab (Chionoecetes opilio) harvesters believe marine noise from seismic surveys reduces commercial Snow Crab catch rates. Depending on the type of seismic survey used, animals living in a particular area could be exposed to loud noise (e.g. daily Sound Exposure Level (SEL) >165 dB re 1 μPa^2·s) for periods ranging from hours (typical 2D survey) to months (detailed 3D survey). This field experiment applied a series of comparisons conducted within a Before-After-Control-Impact study design to investigate the effect of prolonged industrial 3D seismic exposure on the catch rates of Snow Crab over nine weeks in 2017 and five weeks in 2018. Changes in catch rates at 3D seismic surveying sites were inconsistent across years, with reduced catches in 2017 and increased catches in 2018. Catch rates were similar at experimental and control sites within two weeks after exposure, and the potential effect of seismic surveying was not measured at a distance of 30 km. The large variation in catch rates across small temporal and spatial scales coupled with the absence of notable mechanistic responses of Snow Crab in past studies to seismic in associated snow crab movement behavior, gene expression and physiology, we conclude that the observed differences owing to seismic surveying in our study design are likely a result of stochastic processes external to our manipulation.

Evaluating the predictive strength of underwater noise exposure criteria for marine mammals (PDF)

Lucke, K., S.B. Martin, and R. Racca

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 147: 3985-3991 (2020)

DOI: 10.1121/10.0001412

The aim of underwater noise exposure criteria in a regulatory context is to identify at what received levels noise-induced effects are predicted to occur, so that those effects may be appropriately considered in an evaluation or mitigation context under the respective regulatory regime. Special emphasis has been given to hearing related impairment of marine mammals due to their high sensitivity to and reliance on underwater sound. Existing regulations of underwater noise show substantial qualitative and quantitative discrepancies. A dataset acquired during an experiment that induced temporary threshold shift (TTS) in a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from Lucke, Siebert, Lepper, and Blanchet [(2009). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125, 4060–4070] was reanalyzed to see if various exposure criteria predicted TTS differently for high-frequency cetaceans. This provided an unambiguous quantitative comparison of predicted TTS levels for the existing noise exposure criteria used by regulatory bodies in several countries. The comparative evaluation of the existing noise exposure criteria shows substantial disagreement in the predicted levels for onset for auditory effects. While frequency-weighting functions evolved to provide a better representation of sensitivity to noise exposure when compared to measured results at the criteria's onset, thresholds remain the most important parameter determining a match between criteria and measured results.

Exploring movement patterns and changing distributions of baleen whales in the western North Atlantic using a decade of passive acoustic data (PDF)

Davis, G.E., M.F. Baumgartner, P.J. Corkeron, … J. Delarue, … B. Martin, et al.

Global Change Biology 26: 4812–4840 (2020)

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15191

Six baleen whale species are found in the temperate western North Atlantic Ocean, with limited information existing on the distribution and movement patterns for most. There is mounting evidence of distributional shifts in many species, including marine mammals, likely because of climate‐driven changes in ocean temperature and circulation. Previous acoustic studies examined the occurrence of minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and North Atlantic right whales (NARW; Eubalaena glacialis). This study assesses the acoustic presence of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), sei (B. borealis), fin (B. physalus), and blue whales (B. musculus) over a decade, based on daily detections of their vocalizations. Data collected from 2004 to 2014 on 281 bottom‐mounted recorders, totaling 35,033 days, were processed using automated detection software and screened for each species' presence. A published study on NARW acoustics revealed significant changes in occurrence patterns between the periods of 2004–2010 and 2011–2014; therefore, these same time periods were examined here. All four species were present from the Southeast United States to Greenland; humpback whales were also present in the Caribbean. All species occurred throughout all regions in the winter, suggesting that baleen whales are widely distributed during these months. Each of the species showed significant changes in acoustic occurrence after 2010. Similar to NARWs, sei whales had higher acoustic occurrence in mid‐Atlantic regions after 2010. Fin, blue, and sei whales were more frequently detected in the northern latitudes of the study area after 2010. Despite this general northward shift, all four species were detected less on the Scotian Shelf area after 2010, matching documented shifts in prey availability in this region. A decade of acoustic observations have shown important distributional changes over the range of baleen whales, mirroring known climatic shifts and identifying new habitats that will require further protection from anthropogenic threats like fixed fishing gear, shipping, and noise pollution.

FishCam: A low-cost open source autonomous camera for aquatic research (PDF)

Mouy, X., M. Black, K. Cox, J. Qualley, C. Mireault, S. Dosso, and F. Juanes

HardwareX 8: e00110 (2020)

DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2020.e00110

We describe the “FishCam”, a low-cost (<500 USD) autonomous camera package to record videos and images underwater. The system is composed of easily accessible components and can be programmed to turn ON and OFF on customizable schedules. Its 8-megapixel camera module is capable of taking 3280 × 2464-pixel images and videos. An optional buzzer circuit inside the pressure housing allows synchronization of the video data from the FishCam with passive acoustic recorders. Ten FishCam deployments were performed along the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, from January to December 2019. Field tests demonstrate that the proposed system can record up to 212 h of video data over a period of at least 14 days. The FishCam data collected allowed us to identify fish species and observe species interactions and behaviors. The FishCam is an operational, easily-reproduced and inexpensive camera system that can help expand both the temporal and spatial coverage of underwater observations in ecological research. With its low cost and simple design, it has the potential to be integrated into educational and citizen science projects, and to facilitate learning the basics of electronics and programming.

Future vision for autonomous ocean observations (PDF)

Whitt, C., J. Pearlman, B. Polagye, F. Caimi, F. Muller-Karger, A. Copping, H. Spence, S. Madhusudhana, W. Kirkwood, et al.

Frontiers in Marine Science 7: 697 (2020)

DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00697

Autonomous platforms already make observations over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales, measuring salinity, temperature, nitrate, pressure, oxygen, biomass, and many other parameters. However, the observations are not comprehensive. Future autonomous systems need to be more affordable, more modular, more capable and easier to operate. Creative new types of platforms and new compact, low power, calibrated and stable sensors are under development to expand autonomous observations. Communications and recharging need bandwidth and power which can be supplied by standardized docking stations. In situ power generation will also extend endurance for many types of autonomous platforms, particularly autonomous surface vehicles. Standardized communications will improve ease of use, interoperability, and enable coordinated behaviors. Improved autonomy and communications will enable adaptive networks of autonomous platforms. Improvements in autonomy will have three aspects: hardware, control, and operations. As sensors and platforms have more onboard processing capability and energy capacity, more measurements become possible. Control systems and software will have the capability to address more complex states and sophisticated reactions to sensor inputs, which allows the platform to handle a wider variety of circumstances without direct operator control. Operational autonomy is increased by reducing operating costs. To maximize the potential of autonomous observations, new standards and best practices are needed. In some applications, focus on common platforms and volume purchases could lead to significant cost reductions. Cost reductions could enable order-of-magnitude increases in platform operations and increase sampling resolution for a given level of investment. Energy harvesting technologies should be integral to the system design, for sensors, platforms, vehicles, and docking stations. Connections are needed between the marine energy and ocean observing communities to coordinate among funding sources, researchers, and end users. Regional teams should work with global organizations such as IOC/GOOS in governance development. International networks such as emerging glider operations (EGO) should also provide a forum for addressing governance. Networks of multiple vehicles can improve operational efficiencies and transform operational patterns. There is a need to develop operational architectures at regional and global scales to provide a backbone for active networking of autonomous platforms.

Near real-time marine mammal monitoring from gliders: Practical challenges, system development, and management implications (PDF)

Kowarski, K.A., B.J. Gaudet, A.J. Cole, E.E. Maxner, S.P. Turner, S.B. Martin, H.D. Johnson, and J.E. Moloney

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 148: 1215–1230 (2020)

DOI: 10.1121/10.0001811

In 2017, an endangered North Atlantic right whale mortality event in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, triggered the implementation of dynamic mitigation measures that required real-time information on whale distribution. Underwater glider-based acoustic monitoring offers a possible solution for collecting near real-time information but has many practical challenges including self-noise, energy restrictions, and computing capacity, as well as limited glider-to-shore data transfer bandwidth. This paper describes the development of a near real-time baleen whale acoustic monitoring glider system and its evaluation in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2018. Development focused on identifying and prioritizing important acoustic events and on sending contextual information to shore for human validation. The system performance was evaluated post-retrieval, then the trial was simulated using optimized parameters. Trial simulation evaluation revealed that the validated detections of right, fin, and blue whales produced by the system were all correct; the proportion of species occurrence missed varied depending on the timeframe considered. Glider-based near real-time monitoring can be an effective and reliable technique to inform dynamic mitigation strategies for species such as the North Atlantic right whale.

Quantifying spatial and temporal variation of North Pacific fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) acoustic behavior (PDF)

Archer, F.I., S. Rankin, K.M. Stafford, M. Castellote, and J. Delarue

Marine Mammal Science 36(1): 224-245 (2020)

DOI: 10.1111/mms.12640

In order to help develop hypotheses of connectivity among North Pacific fin whales, we examine recordings from 10 regions collected in the spring and fall. We develop a Random Forest model to classify fin whale note types that avoids manual note classification errors. We also present a method that objectively quantifies the note and pattern composition of recordings. We find that fin whale recordings near Hawaii have distinctive patterns, similar to those found in other regions in the central North Pacific, suggesting potential migration pathways. Our results are consistent with previous studies that suggest there may be two different populations utilizing the Chukchi Sea and central Aleutians in the fall and mix to some degree in the southern Bering Sea. Conversely, we found little difference between spring and fall recordings in the eastern Gulf of Alaska, suggesting some residency of whales in this region. This is likely due to fine scale similarities of calls among the inshore regions of British Columbia, while offshore areas are being utilized by whales traveling from various distant areas. This study shows how our novel approach to characterize recordings is an objective and informative way to standardize spatial and temporal comparisons of fin whale recordings.

Techniques for distinguishing between impulsive and non-impulsive sound in the context of regulating sound exposure for marine mammals (PDF)

Martin, S.B., K. Lucke, and D.R. Barclay

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 147: 2159-2176 (2020)

DOI: 10.1121/10.0000971

Regulations designed to mitigate the effects of man-made sounds on marine mammal hearing specify maximum daily sound exposure levels. The limits are lower for impulsive than non-impulsive sounds. The regulations do not indicate how to quantify impulsiveness; instead sounds are grouped by properties at the source. To address this gap, three metrics of impulsiveness (kurtosis, crest factor, and the Harris impulse factor) were compared using values from random noise and real-world ocean sounds. Kurtosis is recommended for quantifying impulsiveness. Kurtosis greater than 40 indicates a sound is fully impulsive. Only sounds above the effective quiet threshold (EQT) are considered intense enough to accumulate over time and cause hearing injury. A functional definition for EQT is proposed: the auditory frequency-weighted sound pressure level (SPL) that could accumulate to cause temporary threshold shift from non-impulsive sound as described in Southall, Finneran, Reichmuth, Nachtigall, Ketten, Bowles, Ellison, Nowacek, and Tyack [(2019). Aquat. Mamm. 45, 125–232]. It is known that impulsive sounds change to non-impulsive as these sounds propagate. This paper shows that this is not relevant for assessing hearing injury because sounds retain impulsive character when SPLs are above EQT. Sounds from vessels are normally considered non-impulsive; however, 66% of vessels analyzed were impulsive when weighted for very-high frequency mammal hearing.

The coastal Arctic marine soundscape near Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada

Halliday, W.D., M.K. Pine, X. Mouy, P. Kortsalo, R.C. Hilliard, and S.J. Insley

Polar Biology 43: 623-636 (2020)

DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02665-8

The soundscape is an important habitat feature for marine animals, and climate change may cause large changes to the Arctic marine soundscape through sea ice loss and increased anthropogenic activity. We examined the marine soundscape over eight months near Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada, and assessed the relative contribution of the geophony (wind and wave sounds), biophony (marine mammal and fish sounds), and anthrophony (noise from vessel traffic). Sound pressure levels (SPL) were significantly higher during the summer than during the autumn and winter, and these differences were caused by increased wind/waves and vessel traffic in the summer. Increased wind speed drove increased SPL, while increased ice concentration resulted in decreased SPL. When vessel traffic was closer, SPL was higher. Marine mammal and fish vocalizations did not influence SPL; however, timing of vocalizations of both whales and seals matched seasonal patterns shown in other studies within the region. Overall, the marine soundscape near Ulukhaktok varied greatly through time and may be prone to large changes in the future as the ice-free season continues to lengthen and more vessels travel through the region.

Using two drones to simultaneously monitor visual and acoustic behaviour of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in Baja California, Mexico

Frouin-Mouy, H., L. Tenorio-Hallé, A. Thode, S. Swartz, and J. Urbán

J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 525: 151321 (2020)

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2020.151321

This study provides an initial demonstration of a combined two-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) system for measuring the underwater source levels and behavioural context of vocal and non-vocal marine mammal signals, information that is highly ecologically-relevant in terms of understanding how a species interacts and copes with conspecifics and its acoustic environment. Although the calls of a few species are well known, major gaps exist in our knowledge about the relationship between vocal output and behavioural context, gender and age for most species. Accurate parameter estimates (e.g., typical source levels, frequency ranges, and temporal characteristics of animal sounds) relevant to their behaviour (activities such as foraging, migrating, mating, or parental care) are needed to establish use of critical habitats (when monitored by acoustics) or to assess potential effects of anthropogenic sound exposure (including reduction of the detection space of sounds used for communication). […] We used two UAVs: one to obtain acoustic measurements close to the whales and another one to obtain overhead visual observations. […] Between 27 February and 17 March 2019, we simultaneously recorded underwater gray whale sounds and visual behavioural observations. During 92 min of underwater acoustic recordings, the acoustic drone recorded 11 call types. By time-synching underwater audio with the behavioural video, we obtained new insights into the source levels and functions of various quiet underwater sound that are difficult to impossible to obtain with standard methods. To our knowledge, no studies combining overhead visual observations and underwater acoustic recordings to describe acoustic behaviour and sound parameters of calls have been previously published.

Acoustic detections of Arctic marine mammals near Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada

Halliday, W.D., M.K. Pine, S.J. Insley, R.N. Soares, P. Kortsalo, and X. Mouy

Can. J. Zool. 97(1): 72–80 (2019)

DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0077

The Arctic marine environment is changing rapidly through a combination of sea ice loss and increased anthropogenic activity. Given these changes can affect marine animals in a variety of ways, understanding the spatial and temporal distributions of Arctic marine animals is imperative. We use passive acoustic monitoring to examine the presence of marine mammals near Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada, from October 2016 to April 2017. We documented bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus, 1758) and beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) vocalizations later into the autumn than expected, and we recorded bowhead whales in early April. We recorded ringed seal (Pusa hispida (Schreber, 1775)) vocalizations throughout our deployment, with higher vocal activity than in other studies and with peak vocal activity in January. We recorded bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben, 1777)) throughout the deployment, with peak vocal activity in February. We recorded lower bearded seal vocal activity than other studies, and almost no vocal activity near the beginning of the spring breeding season. Both seal species vocalized more when ice concentration was high. These patterns in vocal activity document the presence of each species at this site over autumn and winter and are a useful comparison for future monitoring.