DATAMARAN detects whales

A specialized hydrophone and data recorder were deployed on a DATAMARAN during the migration of the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. A reference hydrophone and recorder system was placed on the sea floor and recorded acoustic data simultaneously. Both systems detected whale calls. AMS collaborated with researchers from the Scripps Whale Acoustics Lab for this project. The results indicate the DATAMARAN is a much quieter platform than other autonomous surface vessels. The higher Signal to Noise Ratio achieved with this system enables longer detection horizons using cost-effective Passive Acoustic Monitoring techniques (PAM). This demonstration paves the way for DATAMARANs to be used in marine mammal monitoring projects.