Summary
Directional frequency analysis and recording (DIFAR) sonobuoys can allow real-time acoustic localization of baleen whales for underwater tracking and remote sensing, but limited availability of hardware and software has prevented wider usage. These software limitations were addressed by developing a module in the open-source software PAMGuard. A case study is presented demonstrating that this software provides greater efficiency and accessibility than previous methods for detecting, localizing, and tracking Antarctic blue whales in real time. Additionally, this software can easily be extended to track other low and mid frequency sounds including those from other cetaceans, pinnipeds, icebergs, shipping, and seismic airguns.
Authors:Miller B.S. Calderan S. Gillespie D. Weatherup G. Leaper R. Collins K. Double M.C.
Published in: 2017
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
Program area: Southern Ocean Ecosystems
Miller B.S., Calderan S., Gillespie D., Weatherup G., Leaper R., Collins K., Double M.C.
(2017)
Software for real-time localization of baleen whale calls using directional sonobuoys: A case study on Antarctic blue whales,
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
139(3).
EL83-EL89;
doi:10.1121/1.4943627;