Underwater acoustic observatory for marine park monitoring

Abstract

This project aims for the study of underwater acoustic landscapes, its prime objective being the development of technology for passive and autonomous acoustic monitoring as well as installation of an acoustical observatory in a marine park. In this context, among other features, the present project concerns the development of hydrophones, of an autonomous digital signal recording system, of a watertight unity for equipment installation in sea water. Additionally, this study regards the research and development of signal processing methods for detecting, localizing and identifying underwater acoustic sources as well as the installation, in a marine park, of long term acoustical Observatory composed of 4 OceanPod units temporarily synchronized. Collected data will allow researches in different areas like ecology of cetaceans , fishes, and mollusks, natural environment events (sea state, precipitations) and monitoring of anthropic activities (like tourism, artisanal or industrial fishing and other maritime industrial activities). Finally, collected data is also supposed to be able to supply important and relevant information for handling, management and supervision of Marine Conservation Units. (AU)