Validating the reliability of passive acoustic localisation: a novel method for encountering rare and remote Antarctic blue whales

Miller, Brian; Barlow, Jay; Calderan, Susannah; Collins, Kym; Leaper, Russell; Olson, Paula A.; Ensor, Paul; Peel, David; Donnelly, David; Andrews‐Goff, Virginia; Olavarría, Carlos; Owen, Kylie; Rekdahl, Melinda L.; Schmitt, Natalie; Wadley, Victoria; Gedamke, Jason; Gales, Nick; Double, Michael C.

doi:10.3354/esr00642

Cited by 41 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Passive acoustic telemetry is a technique by which focal animals can be tracked using a fixed array of hydrophones, previously used extensively with marine mammals (e.g. Soldevilla et al 2014, Miller et al 2015, where animals are detected from their vocalizations, and fish, where animals are equipped with individualized transmitters that are de tected by receivers (Heupel & Hueter 2001, Rhodes & Tupper 2008, Rowell et al 2015. Al though it can be costly in terms of the initial financial input for receivers and transmitters, and the routine maintenance of equipment, this long-term monitoring enables the continuous collection of data not influenced by survey effort or observer presence (Lowe et al 2006, Cooke 2008, Zeh et al 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Movement patterns of juvenile hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata at a Caribbean coral atoll: long-term tracking using passive acoustic telemetry

Chevis¹,

Godley²,

Lewis³

et al. 2017

Endang. Species. Res.

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Understanding the ecological interactions that underlie marine ecosystem functioning requires sufficient data describing habitat use by mobile species. Hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata are considered a key species in coral reef-associated communities, owing to their specific foraging preferences, yet new information is still revealing details of the spatial and temporal aspects of habitat use. We used passive acoustic telemetry to monitor the movements of 18 juvenile hawksbills (minimum curved carapace length: 32.0−59.7 cm, mean ± SD = 43.9 ± 6.7 cm) at a developmental foraging site in a Mesoamerican barrier reef, Lighthouse Reef Atoll in Belize (tracking duration 10−1414 d, mean ± SD = 570 ± 484 d). Although specific home ranges were difficult to quantify, several turtles showed high site fidelity over timescales of months to years, with occasional wide-ranging use of the atoll. Diel variation in the number of detections received strongly suggest nocturnal resting. Long-term tracking data reveal 3 degrees of site fidelity across the atoll, based on the number of detection days near individual stations: high residency (n = 4 turtles), sequential residency (n = 5), and transient behavior (n = 4). These variations in movement raise questions about the differentiation of foraging habitats and degree of individual specialization within this population, as well as the influences of microhabitats and human disturbance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Movement patterns of juvenile hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata at a Caribbean coral atoll: long-term tracking using passive acoustic telemetry

Chevis¹,

Godley²,

Lewis³

et al. 2017

Endang. Species. Res.

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“…PAM can detect cetaceans solely by recording the distinctive acoustic signals they make (Mellinger et al, 2007;Miller et al, 2015). PAM has advantages over visual surveys as they record cetaceans when submerged, reach areas where visual surveys are difficult (e.g., Arctic ecosystems) and are independent of weather conditions and daylight (Marques et al, 2009).…”

Section: ____________________ Corresponding Editor: Enrique Crespomentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance estimate of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in southern Ucayali, Peru

Campbell¹,

Alfaro‐Shigueto²,

Godley³

et al. 2017

lajar

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ABSTRACT. We present results of the first simultaneous visual and acoustic surveys for Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), undertaken in Yarinacocha Lagoon, Ucayali, Peru (length = 20 km, area = 12 km 2 ). A total of 324 Sotalia observations and 44 Inia observations were recorded in boat-based transects. Based upon total survey effort, we estimated Sotalia had a mean density ± SE of 1.98 ± 4.6 ind km -2 and an overall abundance of 34 individuals (95% CI: 28 to 40). Average density for Inia was 0.2 ± 1.2 ind km -2 with overall abundance estimated at 3 individuals (95% CI: 0 to 8). Visual surveys observed more Sotalia individuals during earlier hours of the day and during the dry season. Preliminary acoustic surveys undertaken with C-POD passive acoustic monitoring devices indicated a diel pattern in detections of cetacean vocalization with more diurnal activity and with detections ceasing from midnight until 10:00 AM. This work highlights the possibility of monitoring both river dolphin species through visual and acoustic surveys to generate baseline information on abundance trends and distribution patterns in the Ucayali region, an area with high levels of human disturbance.

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“…Calibrating the magnetic compass in DIFAR sonobuoys is essential for obtaining reliable localizations, and this process typically involves measuring several magnetic bearings to sound sources at known locations (Greene et al, 2004;McDonald, 2004;Miller et al, 2015). The PAMGuard DIFAR localization software provides options for largely automating this calibration process.…”

Section: Calibrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Directional frequency analysis and recording (DIFAR) sonobuoys have been in use in whale research programs for the past two decades (Blackwell et al, 2012;Blackwell et al, 2013;Gedamke and Robinson, 2010;Greene et al, 2004;Guerra et al, 2011;McDonald and Moore, 2002;McDonald, 2004;McDonald et al, 2001;Miller et al, 2014;Miller et al, 2015;Oleson et al, 2007;Rankin et al, 2005;Rivers, 1997;Sirović and Hildebrand, 2011;Swartz et al, 2003;Thode et al, 2000;Wade et al, 2006;Wade et al, 2011). These studies indicate that sonobuoys comprise an efficient means for synoptic-scale acoustic monitoring of baleen whales allowing for coverage of broad pelagic areas in relatively short time periods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bearings from a single DIFAR sonobuoy allow researchers to home in on vocalising animals from tens to hundreds of kilometres away (McDonald, 2004;Miller et al, 2015;Wade et al, 2006), while bearings to the same source received on multiple DIFAR sensors allow accurate triangulation of the source's geographic position (Blackwell et al, 2012;Greene et al, 2004;Miller et al, 2015). Furthermore, the acoustic bearings and calibrated received pressure levels from a single DIFAR sonobuoy facilitate identification of the sound source as well as estimation of the source level (Greene et al, 2004;McDonald et al, 2001;Rankin et al, 2005;Thode et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Software for real-time localization of baleen whale calls using directional sonobuoys: A case study on Antarctic blue whales

Miller¹,

Calderan²,

Gillespie³

et al. 2016

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

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Directional frequency analysis and recording (DIFAR) sonobuoys can allow real-time acoustic localization of baleen whales for underwater tracking and remote sensing, but limited availability of hardware and software has prevented wider usage. These software limitations were addressed by developing a module in the open-source software PAMGuard. A case study is presented demonstrating that this software provides greater efficiency and accessibility than previous methods for detecting, localizing, and tracking Antarctic blue whales in real time. Additionally, this software can easily be extended to track other low and mid frequency sounds including those from other cetaceans, pinnipeds, icebergs, shipping, and seismic airguns.

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Validating the reliability of passive acoustic localisation: a novel method for encountering rare and remote Antarctic blue whales

Cited by 41 publications

References 49 publications

Movement patterns of juvenile hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata at a Caribbean coral atoll: long-term tracking using passive acoustic telemetry

Movement patterns of juvenile hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata at a Caribbean coral atoll: long-term tracking using passive acoustic telemetry

Abundance estimate of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in southern Ucayali, Peru

Software for real-time localization of baleen whale calls using directional sonobuoys: A case study on Antarctic blue whales

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