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Use of Underwater Acoustics to Estimate Fish Biomass and Spawning Activity within Protected and Sensitive Areas(2007)

Project Description:
Full integrated assessments of NOAA protected areas should include an understanding of the role that nekton and other marine organisms play in the trophic dynamics and ecology of these ecosystems. Active underwater acoustic surveys are efficient and non-obtrusive methods of surveying pelagic and reef related fishes. Acoustic surveys produce high-resolution information on the abundance and spatial distribution of fish at a fine temporal scale and over a large spatial scale. This work is aimed at the development of acoustic surveys in support of NCCOS research and Sanctuaries management by quantifying the spatial and temporal abundance and distribution of fish. In addition, the application of passive acoustics in underwater environments can provide information on fish spawning activity, marine mammal behavior and environmental noise as a stressor. The objectives of this ongoing work are to: 1) further the application of active underwater acoustic surveys to obtain baseline measures of relative abundance of fish 2) build a foundation of relevant GIS oceanic data to facilitate various ecological assessments and marine mammal and fisheries spatial models and 3) further the application of passive underwater acoustics as a tool for assessing fish spawning activity, marine-mammal behavior, and underwater noise as an environmental stressor.

Expected Outcome:
We expect that the technical methods and approach developed here will provide non-intrusive methods for assessing fish abundance, spawning, and animal behavior. A database of environmental information and analysis tools will be used to better understand marine mammal strandings and bottlenose dolphin distribution in collaboration with the SE marine mammal strandings network and the marine mammal program. Oceanic data will be made available to sanctuaries managers to better understand environmental factors associated with fish distribution at GRNMS. Acoustic surveys will contribute to baseline ecological characterizations at GRNMS by documenting seasonal fish abundance. Recordings of environmental underwater noise and biological sounds can be used to aid in understanding marine mammal behavior and their association to underwater noise as an environmental stressor.