Deep Panuke whale Acoustic 2003

Marielle Thillet

doi:10.15468/3f4qz2

Deep Panuke whale Acoustic 2003

Citation

Thillet, M. 2011. Deep Panuke whale Acoustic 2003. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/651) on yyyy-mm-dd. https://doi.org/10.15468/3f4qz2 accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-07-11.

Description

Original provider: Encana Corporation Dataset credits: Marielle Thillet, Deep Panuke Project, Encana Corporation Abstract: We present marine mammal observation statistics, high-frequency seismic source characteristics, and example denoising of marine mammal acoustical recordings using data collected during the mitigation and monitoring program for a 3-D seismic survey by Encana Corporation, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the northwest Atlantic during 2003. Marine mammals were observed both visually and acoustically. No marine mammal incidents or adverse reactions were observed during the survey. Acoustical observations were made by the Seamap Passive Acoustic Cetacean Monitoring System (SPACMS), consisting of two hydrophones placed 50 m apart, towed ahead of and to one side of the seismic source. Visual and acoustical detections were uncorrelated, indicating the complementary nature of the two observational techniques. Visual detections were more common per hour of effort than acoustical detections. Acoustical detection rates showed no significant day–night difference. Marine mammals appeared to have avoided very close ranges (100 m) from the seismic array during seismic acquisition, but the overall number of marine mammals in the observable radius (1–2 km) did not change significantly when the seismic source was “on” compared to “off.” Marine mammals were observed in larger groups and appeared to have become less vocal when the seismic source was active. It should be noted however, that the results from this data gathering effort may be affected by potential sources of bias (such as the combination of data from toothed and baleen whales). Signal processing of seismic source signatures indicated some high-frequency energy content consistent with expectations from earlier work. This analysis confirmed that most of the seismic energy was concentrated at lower frequencies (500 Hz). No low-frequency comparisons with near-field data could be made due to the geometry of the SPACMS recording hydrophones and seismic source, which resulted in the Lloyd’s mirror effect obliterating low-frequency components in the SPACMS records. A wavelet-based denoising method was applied to improve the visibility of marine mammal vocalizations on a spectrogram display. Supplemental information: Visual data collected in this survey are registered on OBIS-SEAMAP separately as the Deep Panuke whale sightings 2003 dataset.

Purpose

Not available

Sampling Description

Study Extent

NA

Sampling

NA

Method steps

NA

Additional info

marine, harvested by iOBIS

Taxonomic Coverages

Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).

Delphinidae
common name: dolphins rank: family
Hyperoodon ampullatus
common name: Northern bottlenose whale rank: species
Physeter macrocephalus
common name: Sperm Whale rank: species
Cetacea
common name: cetaceans rank: order

Geographic Coverages

Oceans

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Marielle Thillet
originator
position: Primary contact
Encana Corporation
email: marielle.thillet@encana.com

OBIS-SEAMAP
metadata author
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu

OBIS-SEAMAP
distributor
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu

Marielle Thillet
owner
position: Primary contact
Encana Corporation
email: marielle.thillet@encana.com

Marielle Thillet
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
Encana Corporation
email: marielle.thillet@encana.com