Cheap DECAF: Density Estimation for Cetaceans from Acoustic Fixed Sensors Using Separate, Non-Linked Devices

Abstract

Several of the current methods for density estimation of cetaceans using passive fixed acoustics rely on large, dense arrays of cabled hydrophones and/or auxiliary information from animal tagging projects conducted at the same time as the acoustic survey. Obtaining such data is costly, and may be impractical to the wider community interested in estimating cetacean density. Therefore, the goal of Cheap DECAF is to focus on the development of cetacean density estimation methods using sensors that are sparsely distributed and less expensive to deploy than the cabled military arrays focussed on to date. Recordings of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from a sparse array of Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) are being used to develop and test a variety of density estimation methods. The OBS array was deployed for 1 year (2007-2008) off the south coast of Portugal, near the Strait of Gibraltar.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2014
Accession Number
ADA618005

Entities

People

  • David Mellinger

Organizations

  • Oregon State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustics
  • Animals
  • Cetaceans
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Energy Bands
  • Energy Levels
  • Fixed Sensors
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Bands
  • Geographic Regions
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Noise
  • Noise Reduction
  • Power Spectra
  • Sampling
  • Surveys

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Marine Mammal Biology
  • Systems Analysis and Design