Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate and quantify the ambient soundscape as it applies to marine mammals, specifically grey whales (Eschrichtius robustus). The use of vision is restricted underwater yet marine mammals are still able to navigate and find food without any noticeable difficulties. The use of sound, therefore, plays a key role in their survival. Our work focused specifically on grey whales due to their close association with the shallow water environment where there is a variety of environmental acoustic cues present. We examined their feeding grounds along the central coast of B.C., Canada, principally looking at how kelp beds effect the soundscape given their affiliation with grey whales. We also investigated the acoustic characteristics of surf noise on different sediment types. An ambient sound map was produced for a common feeding bay, highlighting acoustic bright and dark spots.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2018
Event8th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation of marine mammals using passive acoustics: 8th DCLDE Workshop - Sorbonne University, Paris, France
Duration: 4 Jun 20188 Jun 2018
Conference number: 8
http://sabiod.univ-tln.fr/DCLDE/
http://sabiod.univ-tln.fr/DCLDE/

Conference

Conference8th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation of marine mammals using passive acoustics
Abbreviated titleDCLDE
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityParis
Period4/06/188/06/18
Internet address

Keywords

  • ambient noise
  • passive acoustics
  • underwater acoustics
  • grey whale
  • marine biology
  • noise pollution

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics
  • Nature and Landscape Conservation

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