IFOP jointly with University of Toulon, France make cetaceans acoustic recordings
February 26th, 2018
The recording is made on Abate Molina scientific vessel, through an hydrophone submerged in the water on the boat side, this device records sounds that are recorded, processed and then identified at the species level by researchers at Toulon University
“During February at IFOP Valparaíso, Drs. Julie Patris and Franck Malige from the University of Toulon and LIS laboratory (Computer and Systems Laboratory), France held a presentation to inform about their “Acoustic recording of the sea”project.
Recognizing that more than 50% of cetacean species have been observed in Chile, Drs. Patris and Malige want to make acoustic recordings in our waters to use them as marine biodiversity indicators. Its main focus is to identify local sperm whales and blue whales dialects, but also to record other cetaceans sounds.
The bioacoustics recording is done by a hydrophone that is submerged in the water on the side of the boat, this device records the sounds that are recorded, processed and then identified at the species level by the researchers of the University of Toulon “explained the Dr. Patricia Zarate from IFOP.
As a result, the hydrophone was embarked on Abate Molina scientific vessel, which set sail to carry out the hydroacoustic assessments of anchoveta recruitment. The cruise is traveling through the area between the XV and II Regions and IFOP scientific observers, Robert Bello, Simón Zepeda and biologist Carmen Barrios of Universidad de Valparaíso, are in charge of handling the hydrophone, they have already made the first recordings .
Identification of cetaceans species present in the sea, based on hydrophone detected sounds, may be used to complement sightings of cetaceans that our institution makes aboard Abate Molina ship. This sightings activity has been carried out since 2016 and is under Monitoring Highly Migratory Resources-ecosystem project approach framework from Oceanography and Environment Department, led by Dr. Patricia Zárate.
“If these first recording tests are successful, Fisheries Development Institute and University of Toulon will sign a collaboration agreement to continue implementing recordings on cruise ships, whenever possible,” Zárate added.
Leonardo Núñez IFOP Executive Director, commented “this collaborative experience will lay foundations so that in the medium term we establish an indirect methodology for marine cetaceans population assessment (dolphins, pilot whales, rorquals and others) associated with our fisheries.