Automated identification system for ships data as a proxy for marine vessel related stressors

O’Hara, Patrick D.; Serra-Sogas, Norma; McWhinnie, Lauren; Pearce, Kim; Baron, Nicole Le; O'Hagan, Gregory; Nesdoly, Andrea; Marques, Tunai Porto; Canessa, Rosaline

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160987

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Despite vessel traffic volume in the region being known to be much lower in winter months than in summer [ 21 , 23 , 25 ], we recorded relatively high local vessel counts, including a maximum count of 137 transits over a 7-hour day at Roberts Point. Despite the geographical proximity of the two MBS, vessel traffic volume and characteristics varied considerably by survey site—with one site (Ogden Point, VHMBS) represented by fewer, larger and slower vessels on average (and with the majority of kayaks observed in the study; Fig 3 ), and the other (Roberts Point, SHMBS) by numerous smaller and generally faster transits—presumably reflecting the different infrastructure and facilities found at the two harbours, Although the difference was non-significant, vessel traffic volume also trended toward being heavier on weekends, a pattern that has also been observed regionally, with the difference disproportionately greater during winter vs. summer [ 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…Only 7% of the transits we observed were by a vessel class required to have AIS installed as of 27 April 2021, the date of a regulatory change. However, other studies in the region have used remote survey techniques (aerial surveys or automated cameras in conjunction with AIS) and estimated the proportion of small vessels not using AIS (and not required to do so); these estimates range from 85–90% (for sailboats, pleasure craft, and fishing vessels [ 21 ]) to 67–96% (fishing vessels, ecotourism vessels, sailboats, and motor craft [ 26 ])—meaning up to 33% of AIS-exempt vessels are operating an AIS.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Characterizing vessel traffic, including the component formed by non-AIS vessels, is therefore key to understanding and mitigating disturbance responses by waterbirds. Our proof-of-concept study provides an approach to understanding fine-scale patterns in local environments, and one that can be used to ground-truth the remote data collection efforts (e.g., using historical and real-time AIS data, or the use of satellite optical sensor imagery such as Google Earth images to estimate traffic [ 26 , 56 ]) required over wider geographic areas. This approach could also be used to collect a baseline for small vessel traffic in areas of interest for marine conservation planning, something that has been identified as necessary in studies using AIS and other remote approaches to characterize vessel traffic over wider areas [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…questions across the broader region [21,25,26]. It is worth noting that Canada's Gulf Island National Park Reserve, a 3600-ha complex of marine areas and small islands adjacent to our study area, aims to increase visitation and improve access to kayaks [27], something that could have negative impacts on certain coastal waterbird aggregations if ongoing disturbance occurs (cf.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The purpose of our exploratory study was to initiate quantification of small vessel characteristics and movement patterns within two of these coastal protected areas, using approaches that can complement aerial and other remote survey methods already addressing similar questions across the broader region [ 21 , 25 , 26 ]. It is worth noting that Canada’s Gulf Island National Park Reserve, a 3600-ha complex of marine areas and small islands adjacent to our study area, aims to increase visitation and improve access to kayaks [ 27 ], something that could have negative impacts on certain coastal waterbird aggregations if ongoing disturbance occurs (cf.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Visual surveys provide baseline data on small vessel traffic and waterbirds in a coastal protected area

2023

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The coastal waters of southern British Columbia, Canada, encompass habitat of international conservation significance to coastal and marine birds, including sizeable areas designated in the early 1900s as Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS) to protect overwintering waterfowl from hunting near urban centres. Two of these, Shoal Harbour (SHMBS) and Victoria Harbour (VHMBS), have seen significant marine infrastructure development in recent decades and experience considerable vessel traffic. Vessel-related stressors are known to affect waterbirds, but traffic characteristics in coastal urban areas are poorly understood for the smaller vessels not tracked by Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). We conducted a pilot study using shore-based observers to develop small-vessel baselines for the winter months, when regional waterbird numbers are highest. During our surveys we recorded considerable inter-site variability in vessel traffic characteristics, with one site (SHMBS) a source of nearly twice as many vessel transits as the other (VHMBS). Most recorded vessels were small watercraft (mean length 26 ± 17′, mode 18′), and vessels at the high-traffic site were both shorter and faster on average. One in six vessels were classified as ‘noisy’, of interest given that noise is an important component of vessel disturbance of waterbirds and other marine animals. Few vessels (7% of all recorded) were of the type required to carry AIS transponders, which highlights the monitoring gap created by using AIS-based approaches alone in nearshore waters, and allows for correction of AIS-derived vessel counts. Waterbird community composition also varied by locality, with one site dominated by gulls (Laridae), cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), and seaducks (Tribe Mergini), and the other by gulls, cormorants, and alcids (Alcidae). Our results demonstrate that fine-scale local variability must be taken into account when managing for vessel traffic disturbance of waterbirds, particularly at sites of high human population density and increasing coastal development.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Visual surveys provide baseline data on small vessel traffic and waterbirds in a coastal protected area

2023

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Understanding vessel noise across a network of marine protected areas

McKenna,

Rowell,

Margolina

et al. 2024

Environ Monit Assess

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Protected areas are typically managed as a network of sites exposed to varying anthropogenic conditions. Managing these networks benefits from monitoring of conditions across sites to help prioritize coordinated efforts. Monitoring marine vessel activity and related underwater radiated noise impacts across a network of protected areas, like the U.S. National Marine Sanctuary system, helps managers ensure the quality of habitats used by a wide range of marine species. Here, we use underwater acoustic detections of vessels to quantify different characteristics of vessel noise at 25 locations within eight marine sanctuaries including the Hawaiian Archipelago and the U.S. east and west coasts. Vessel noise metrics, including temporal presence and sound levels, were paired with Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel tracking data to derive a suite of robust vessel noise indicators for use across the network of marine protected areas. Network-wide comparisons revealed a spectrum of vessel noise conditions that closely matched AIS vessel traffic composition. Shifts in vessel noise were correlated with the decrease in vessel activity early in the COVID-19 pandemic, and vessel speed reduction management initiatives. Improving our understanding of vessel noise conditions in these protected areas can help direct opportunities for reducing vessel noise, such as establishing and maintaining noise-free periods, enhancing port efficiency, engaging with regional and international vessel quieting initiatives, and leveraging co-benefits of management actions for reducing ocean noise.

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Estimating fisheries catch from space: Comparing catch estimates derived from AIS fishing effort with reported catches for Indian Ocean industrial fisheries

Cappa,

Andreoli,

Krueger

et al. 2024

Regional Studies in Marine Science

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Automated identification system for ships data as a proxy for marine vessel related stressors

Cited by 6 publications

References 68 publications

Visual surveys provide baseline data on small vessel traffic and waterbirds in a coastal protected area

Visual surveys provide baseline data on small vessel traffic and waterbirds in a coastal protected area

Understanding vessel noise across a network of marine protected areas

Estimating fisheries catch from space: Comparing catch estimates derived from AIS fishing effort with reported catches for Indian Ocean industrial fisheries

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