Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in Endangered Species Research:
Wilson B, Benjamins S, Elliott J (2013). Using drifting passive echolocation loggers to study harbour porpoises in tidal-stream habitats. Endangered Species Research 22: 125–143; doi: 10.3354/esr00538. The paper is Open Access, and can be downloaded free here: http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr_oa/n022p125.pdf Abstract Moored passive acoustic detectors (e.g. C-PODs) are widely used to study harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena distribution and relative abundance, but their use in tidal-stream habitats is complicated by the need for retrievable flow-resistant seabed fixings and the occurrence of flow-induced noise in the resultant data. In this study, we explored the use of a new method aimed at tidal-stream habitats, which are of increasing interest for marine renewable energy generation. Porpoise detectors (C-PODs) were attached to multiple drifters and repeatedly set adrift at a tidal-stream site in western Scotland during May 2010 and August 2011. Porpoise vocalisations were successfully detected under varying tidal conditions during approximately 63 h of drifting. Harbour porpoise distribution, as determined by the drifting detectors, was similar to that found using the traditional, yet more logistically intensive, visual and acoustic boat-based surveys and to an extent that found by moored C-PODs. Drifting detectors also mapped tidally driven spatiotemporal variability in ambient noise levels which could influence porpoise detection. In summary, drifters equipped with passive acoustic detectors offer a new, rapid and inexpensive tool for investigating porpoise occurrence and behaviour in tidal-stream habitats, and should be considered as part of a comprehensive marine mammal monitoring approach of these energetic environments in the context of marine renewable energy development and other industries. Best regards, Steven Benjamins -- Dr. Steven Benjamins Post Doctoral Research Associate SAMS (Scottish Association for Marine Science) Oban Argyll Scotland UK PA37 1QA Tel: +44(0)1631-559449 (office) Tel: +44(0)1631-559000 (switchboard) Fax: +44(0)1631-559001 E-mail address: [email protected] http://www.sams.ac.uk _______________________________________________ MARMAM mailing list [email protected] https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
