Offshore Acoustic and Visual Survey
Cetos Research Organization has teamed with Pelagikos
(a non-profit research group) which operates the R/V
Dariabar, an 84 Ft. motor-sailing vessel specially
outfitted to conduct passive acoustic surveys of cetaceans.
On this project we study natural history, ecology, vocalizations
and behavior of pelagic cetaceans (particularly deep diving-species).
Very little is known about these species, resulting in
difficulties in developing science-based policies and management
practices.
The R/V Dariabar vessel has been used for a variety of
research projects including marine mammal and bird surveys
for the Moss
Landing Marine Laboratories, ONR's Bio-Acoustical Oceanography
Workshops, and studies investigating the effects of noise
on marine mammals with Cornell Universities' Bioacoustics
Research Program. Cetos first collaborated with Pelagikos
during our 2005 research season while working off the islands
of Kauai and Ni'ihau, and in the waters offshore of the
Na Pali Coast.
Onboard the Dariabar, Cetos researchers, visiting scientists,
and collaborators (including some from Southwest
Fisheries Science Center) conducted visual and acoustic
surveys of marine mammals. Acoustic monitoring and recording
of cetacean vocalizations was done using a dual hydrophone
array system, and a sonobuoy system was set-up and tested for eventual use in future studies.
These passive acoustic systems allow us to detect and track
cetaceans (whales and dolphins) from the sounds they make.
You can read more about the specifics of this study. See "Study
Goals" and "Study
Findings".
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