Marine acoustics and underwater noise assessments
Earth’s oceans and seas are becoming busier and noisier
Our finger is on the pulse of the latest technology, scientific advances and methods. This enables us to provide our clients with high quality and up-to-date advice, design, planning and implementation of marine acoustics.
The potential effects of anthropogenic sound on marine megafauna are of increasing concern, and are only beginning to be understood. Recording, transmitting, storing, measuring, managing, and analysing underwater sound is highly complex and involves the use of technical, and often expensive, equipment. It also requires specialist knowledge. Underwater acoustics is a rapidly changing area, with advances in technology occurring frequently. It’s easy to get left behind and it’s easy to head down the wrong path.
Measuring anthropogenic and biological sound in the marine environment is receiving increasing attention from a variety of our clients. Our collaboration on a number of underwater acoustics research projects means we have our finger on the pulse of the latest technology, scientific advances and methods. This enables us to provide our clients with high quality and up-to-date advice, design, planning and implementation of research and mitigation projects on underwater sound.
Blue Planet Marine has the experience and expertise to assist you with your marine acoustics project, including:
- Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) for mitigation and research purposes using fixed and towed PAM systems, real-time acoustic monitoring, and hydrophone arrays
- Direct tagging of marine mammals using D-Tags and Z-Tags
- Ambient underwater noise assessment and monitoring
- Expert advice, assessment monitoring and research on the potential effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals and other marine megafauna
- Studies on marine mammal behavioural response to anthropogenic sound
- Mitigating potential impacts of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals
- Advanced PAM Operator training
Recent Projects
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Development of a real-time cetacean positioning and tracking system, which allows the incorporation of both visual and acoustic data for seismic surveys.Collaborative project with the University of Newcastle.
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Multidisciplinary research programme on the humpback whale breeding grounds of the Great Barrier Reef – photo-ID, genetic analysis and bioacoustics.Joint project with University of Queensland and Oregon State University.
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Validation of Sound Transmission Loss Modelling (STLM) and acoustic monitoring for a marine seismic survey near the Maui field in Taranaki, New Zealand.Shell Taranaki Ltd.
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Review of the NZ Guidelines for Minimising Acoustic Disturbance to Marine Mammals from Seismic Survey Operations and Reference Document with respect to new research findings, international best practice and recent legislation changes within NZ. Analysis and reporting of submissions on the review.Department of Conservation.
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Collaboration with the Australian Antarctic Division in undertaking acoustic and visual surveys for Blue Whales in the Bonny Upwelling.Australian Antarctic Division.
Quality, Safety And Environment
All of BPM’s work is subject to our QSE system, which is modelled on ISO 9001, AS/NZS 4801 and ISO 14001.