Gulf of Maine Regional Acoustic Network
Abstract
PROJECT SUMMARYApproved for Public ReleaseUnderwater acoustics challenges the traditional sense of spatial scales compared to terrestrial applications. The concept of spatial scale in ocean acoustics is complex and not as straightforward as expressing distance and/or environmental features within defined borders or provinces, as frequency is the dominant parameter defining detection area and spatial scale. Understanding the acoustic variability and spatio-temporal dynamics of ocean processes impacting signal detection and ocean sound propagation at scales larger than a specific locale necessitates observations and measurements across a wide frequencyspectrum. With escalating interest in the Gulf of Maine due to climate change, energy development, aquaculture, commercial fishing, and transportation, there has been a regional increase in the number of both acoustic and ocean observation systems deployed over the past decade. A majority of deployments were short-term (less than a year) and supported the objectives of independent research projects and programs. With the past, present, and future deployments targeting a variety of project specific science and monitoringpurposes, the opportunity of regional coordination of the data access and analysis across the different efforts will enable larger,regional scale studies well beyond the spatial and temporal scopes of any individual project. The proposed work aims to advance the understanding of regional scale questions through regional coordination leading to transformative research related to 1) baleen whale migration dynamics, 2) marine mammal ranging and source localization, 3) advancing soundscape modeling to include marine mammal sources, and 4) the link between secondary production, regional oceanographic, and ecosystem features.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312767
Entities
People
- Jennifer Miksis-Olds
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University System of New Hampshire