"Acoustic Based Cetacean Detection"
Research Measure: Discovery Research Measure
Funding Type: NDP Marine Research Sub-Programme
Funding Year: 2007
Project Duration: 22 months
Project Type: Industry-Led Award
Total Grant-Aid: €64,110
Lead Partner: Biospheric Engineering Ltd.
Project Summary
The aim of this project is to develop the existing acoustic capabilities and resources to provide an acoustic detection system that is capable of detecting the common cetacean species, distinguishing between species and providing location data on the species detected. This information is required/useful on all major construction projects impacting on marine mammals and for population counts.
The system is designed to assist Marine Mammal Observers (MMO) in mitigating the impact of construction and other activities by locating animals in poor visibility, at night or animals that have not surfaced. The detection system, once operating, has innumerable uses for cetacean and other species monitoring. The additional expertise gained by the company in developing it will serve to provide a locally based critical knowledge base for the marine sector.
A copy of the Final Report for this project has now been published and is available to download from the Library Section of the Website under the Marine Research Sub-Programme (NDP 2007-'13) Series.