Glider-Based Passive Acoustic Monitoring Techniques in the Southern California Region

• Main Authors: Hildebrand, John A, D Spain, Gerald L, Roch, Marie A
• Other Authors: SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV CA DEPT OF COMPUTER SCIENCES
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Biological Oceanography; Acoustics; *ACOUSTIC DETECTORS; *AQUATIC ANIMALS; CALIFORNIA; CLASSIFICATION; GLIDERS; MAMMALS; MONITORING; PASSIVE SYSTEMS; *MARINE MAMMALS; MARINE MAMMAL CALL DCL; DCL(DETECTION CLASSIFICATION AND LOCALIZATION); RANGE VALIDATION TESTS; Z RAY GLIDERS; WAVE GLIDERS; Scripps; Marine Mammal Monitoring
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA598930; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA598930

The long-term goal is to develop glider-based and autonomous-platform-based marine mammal monitoring for Naval environmental compliance, as well as for basic scientific studies of marine mammals. Autonomous glider-based passive acoustic monitoring of marine mammal presence is particularly needed within the southern California offshore region, a site of significant naval training. We aim to create operational glider-based marine mammal detection, classification, and localization systems to provide timely information on marine mammal presence to support Naval mitigation efforts in the southern California region. Our objective is to develop and test glider and autonomous-platform-based capabilities for marine mammal call detection, classification, and localization (DCL). Because of their long-duration on station time and acoustically silent operation, gliders provide attractive platforms for acoustic monitoring over extended periods of time, with significant processing capabilities for detection, classification and localization of marine mammal calls. For gliders to be effective in this role, efficient algorithms for automated detection and classification of marine mammal calls are needed. In addition, we are testing various autonomous platforms (submerged versus surface) for marine mammal call detection capabilities, and comparing these platforms against fixed bottom-mounted acoustic sensors. Prepared in collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla.