Dolphin Distribution on the West Florida Shelf Using Visual Surveys and Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Simard, Peter; Wall, Carrie C.; Allen, Jason B.; Wells, Randall S.; Gowans, Shannon; Forys, Elizabeth A.

doi:10.1578/am.41.2.2015.167

Cited by 8 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…Due to the complexity of sound propagation in water, the true detection range (the maximum distance a vocalizing dolphin can be detected from the recorder location) around each acoustic recorder is currently unknown. This range can be determined using cylindrical spreading models or through empirical measurement via playback experiments (e.g., Jensen et al, 2012; Simard et al, 2015). One study conducted in the West Florida Shelf that used DSG Ocean recorders (with similar hydrophone sensitivity of −186 dBV/μPa) found that the detection range of bottlenose dolphin whistles using a cylindrical spreading model was approximately 200–300 m (Simard et al, 2015).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Calibogue Sound, South Carolina, has been shown to have summer migrants, whereas areas closer to Charleston, South Carolina, have been shown to have fall and winter migrants (Speakman et al, 2010; Zolman, 2002). Methodologies to study distributions and habitat use of these stocks have focused on small vessel surveys and satellite telemetry, which are beneficial because they provide reliable identification, exact animal counts, and provide a good opportunity for recording surface behavior (Barlow & Taylor, 2005; Simard et al, 2015). However, visual survey methods can be labor intensive, logistically challenging, and lack high temporal resolution (Balmer et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Passive acoustic monitoring can continue at night, regardless of weather and other conditions that inhibit visual observations, can operate year‐round at relatively low costs, and is particularly useful in areas where there is low water visibility (Mellinger et al, 2007). Additionally, acoustic recordings can be reanalyzed, which is beneficial for verifying unexpected results or for testing a new analytical method (Simard et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long‐term passive acoustics to assess spatial and temporal vocalization patterns of Atlantic common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the May River estuary, South Carolina

Marian

Monczak

Balmer

et al. 2021

Marine Mammal Science

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Passive acoustics has been used extensively to study bottlenose dolphins; yet very few studies have examined the spatial, temporal, and environmental influences on vocalization types (echolocation, burst pulse sounds, and whistles), and few are long‐term and provide high temporal resolution over multiple years. We used data from 2013 to 2018 to establish baseline acoustic patterns for bottlenose dolphins in the May River estuary, South Carolina. We deployed acoustic recorders at six stations during 2013–2014 and three stations during 2015–2018, with locations spanning the entire estuary (headwaters to the mouth). We discovered that acoustic detection of dolphins varied not only spatially, but also yearly, monthly, and tidally. Higher numbers of echolocation bouts, burst pulse sounds, and whistles were detected at the mouth as compared to the headwaters. At the mouth, vocalization detections were greatest in fall and winter for multiple years, and echolocation detection was greatest during falling and low tides. This study provides an example of another tool, long‐term passive acoustics monitoring, to better understand spatial and temporal distribution of dolphins in a typical salt marsh estuary, that can be applied to other ecosystems throughout the southeastern United States and globally.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long‐term passive acoustics to assess spatial and temporal vocalization patterns of Atlantic common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the May River estuary, South Carolina

Marian

Monczak

Balmer

et al. 2021

Marine Mammal Science

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“…The background noise levels in the study area were highly variable. In a previous study, ambient noise in the study area was found to be mainly due to boat noise and snapping shrimp, both of which increased during warmer months and in shallower waters [ 15 ]. In this study, as the boat noise itself was the desired signal, spatial and temporal trends in snapping shrimp noise could influence boat detection rates, and further investigation of this potential bias is warranted, especially as the periodicity of snapping shrimp acoustic activity appears to be temporally complex [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Acoustic data were collected with DSG (Digital SpectroGram, Loggerhead Instruments) autonomous recorders. DSG recorders are self-contained, low power consumption, high sample rate acoustic recorders that have been used to monitor fish, marine mammals, and boat noise [ 12 , 14 , 15 ]. Data were recorded at 50 kHz sample rate and 16-bit resolution onto 32 GB SD cards.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantification of Boat Visitation Rates at Artificial and Natural Reefs in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Using Acoustic Recorders

Simard

Wall

Mann³

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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Artificial reefs are commonly used as a management tool, in part to provide ecosystem services, including opportunities for recreational fishing and diving. Quantifying the use of artificial reefs by recreational boaters is essential for determining their value as ecosystem services. In this study, four artificial–natural reef pairs in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (off western Florida) were investigated for boat visitation rates using autonomous acoustic recorders. Digital SpectroGram (DSG) recorders were used to collect sound files from April 2013 to March 2015. An automatic detection algorithm was used to identify boat noise in individual files using the harmonic peaks generated by boat engines, and by comparing the sound amplitude of each file with surrounding files. In all four pairs, visitation rates were significantly higher at the artificial reef than the natural reef. This increase in boat visitation was likely due to actual or perceived increased quality of fishing and diving at the artificial reefs, or to lack of knowledge of the presence or locations of the natural reefs. Inshore reefs (<15 m depth) had high variability in monthly visitation rates, which were generally highest in warmer months. However the seasonal signal was dampened on offshore reefs (>25 m depth). This study appears to be the first to use acoustic data to measure participant use of boating destinations, and highlights the utility of acoustic monitoring for the valuation of this important ecosystem service provided by artificial reefs.

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Population distribution and drivers of habitat use for the Burrunan dolphins, Port Phillip Bay, Australia

Beddoe,

Shimeta,

Klaassen

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops) populations, also described as the Burrunan dolphins, consist of a resident population of approximately 150 individuals in Port Phillip Bay (PPB), Victoria. Previous reports indicate distribution across a small southern region of PPB; however, little is known about their full distribution patterns across the entire PPB region. Here, we investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of the Burrunan dolphins across four zones representative of PPB benthic habitats and bathymetry to gain a better understanding of the potential drivers of the population's habitat use. Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. One hundred and twenty‐nine boat‐based surveys were undertaken between March 2015 and August 2021, encompassing 181 sightings. Generalised linear models (GLMs) were used to investigate annual, seasonal and zonal variation. We found no variation in sighting frequencies between years. Austral summer and winter had a significantly higher sighting frequency than autumn. We found that Burrunan dolphins utilise the entire bay, further extending the species range, and show a significantly higher number of sightings in the southern zone than in any other zones. Overlaying dolphin sightings with known oceanographic characteristics within PPB, we found bathymetry and benthic habitats were potential drivers for the Burrunan dolphins distribution and habitat use within the bay, with the dolphins significantly favouring the 5–10 and 10–15 m contour depths. These results show a more widespread distribution across the bay than previously documented. We recommend expansion of the current marine protected areas in the north and south of the bay. This study has increased our understanding of the vital habitat for the Burrunan dolphin populations. By providing evidence‐based conservation recommendations, we hope to improve and contribute to future research, conservation management plans and effective marine protected areas across PPB for the resident Burrunan dolphin population.

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Dolphin Distribution on the West Florida Shelf Using Visual Surveys and Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Cited by 8 publications

References 0 publications

Long‐term passive acoustics to assess spatial and temporal vocalization patterns of Atlantic common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the May River estuary, South Carolina

Long‐term passive acoustics to assess spatial and temporal vocalization patterns of Atlantic common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the May River estuary, South Carolina

Quantification of Boat Visitation Rates at Artificial and Natural Reefs in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Using Acoustic Recorders

Population distribution and drivers of habitat use for the Burrunan dolphins, Port Phillip Bay, Australia

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