A cabled ocean acoustic array to be installed in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract

It is often noted that we know more about the planets than the processes of our oceans. A network of ocean observatories is improving our knowledge; however, measurements are still relatively scarce and do not provide enough data to validate and refine models of ocean currents, soundscapes, and biological activity. A cabled acoustic array is being developed for deployment in 2024 in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Maine to complement existing oceanographic monitoring infrastructure. The system will make measurements of the nearshore (6 km) environment and shed light on the connections between coastal measurements and the overall Gulf of Maine environment. The system is designed to synoptically collect acoustic, oceanographic, and biogeochemical data, while also remaining flexible enough in design to incorporate new sensors in the future. Measurements made with this ocean asset will serve as a baseline for pattern and trend analyses of changing environmental conditions in an area of high productivity, human use, and species diversity. The data management and visualization team are developing an infrastructure to provide public access to the data and its products. Public data access will permit researchers at all levels to advance our understanding of ocean acoustics and oceanographic processes.