Verified passive acoustic detection of beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) using distributed bottom-mounted hydrophones in the tongue of the ocean, Bahamas

Abstract

Passive detection of beaked whales has become increasingly important as at least two species, Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) and Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavorostris) have stranded in events associated with sonar. Passive acoustic detection and localization algorithms develop as part of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Range (M3R) program will be presented along with results from a series of tests that demonstrate the efficacy of passive acoustic detection of vocalizing M. densirostris. Ninety-two bottom-mounted sensors at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) were monitored for vocalizations. M3R systems were used to detect and localize vocalizing animals. Based on these real-time data, trained observers were vectored to the animals and verified the species. Focal follows coordinated with passive acoustics were completed. Observer photos along with raw sensor, detection and localization data were collected.