The Lofoten-Vesterålen Ocean Observatory—A cabled infrastructure for operational acoustical oceanography

Abstract

In the face of climate change and increasing use of coastal areas, there is a need for high temporal resolution data provided in near real-time, serving research, management, and commercial users. The main objective of Lofoten-Vesterålen (LoVe) Cabled Ocean Observatory is to significantly contribute to the knowledge base of the physical, chemical, and biological environment of the ecologically and economically important LoVe shelf-slope-system. Key sensors for this task are based on acoustical methods for biological and physical oceanography. The majority of the observatory nodes are equipped with state-of-the art scientific echosounders, hydrophones, and acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP). Echosounders monitor vertical distribution and density of marine organisms (fish, zooplankton) and biomass flux across the observatory transect. Hydrophones provide continuous monitoring of anthropogenic noise and detection (absence/presence) of vocalizing marine mammals and fish. In addition to the fiber optic communication along the infrastructure subsea cables, each node has the capability of acoustic communication to non-cabled nodes, vessels, and vehicles. The instrument nodes and satellites on which the sensors are mounted feature a range of novel solutions, including technologies contributing to significant reduction in the cost of maintaining the infrastructure compared to traditional cabled infrastructure technologies.