Comparing the Performance of Bottom-Moored and Unmanned Surface Vehicle Towed Passive Acoustic Monitoring Platforms for Marine Mammal Detections

Thesis

Title: Comparing the Performance of Bottom-Moored and Unmanned Surface Vehicle Towed Passive Acoustic Monitoring Platforms for Marine Mammal Detections

Author:

Mahmud, S.

Publication Date:

September 1, 2017

Thesis Type:

Master's Thesis

Affiliation

University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Receptor:

Marine Mammals, Cetaceans

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Citation

Mahmud, S. (2017). Comparing the Performance of Bottom-Moored and Unmanned Surface Vehicle Towed Passive Acoustic Monitoring Platforms for Marine Mammal Detections (Master's Thesis). University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

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Abstract

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a more effective method of monitoring cetaceans' distribution and abundance than conventional visual surveys. Cetaceans are highly vocally active and produce identifiable acoustic signals during echolocation and communication. Three different PAM platforms recorded data in overlapping time periods in the vicinity of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill site: bottom-moored buoys (EARS), Unmanned Surface Vehicle towed arrays (USV), and subsurface glider-mounted hydrophones. Detection rates of the EARS and USV were compared to investigate their efficiency in detecting marine mammals. Detection events were obtained using independent detectors for each platform and then compared by feeding data through a common detector. Results from both detectors and platforms were compared, and a comparable trend of detection rates was found. The purpose of this study is to aid in the development of cost-efficient PAM methodology for mitigation and environmental impact assessment purposes.