Marine mammals and many fish can produce and perceive sound in the ocean. In an environment where vision is limited, hearing is one of the most important senses. These animals rely on sound for navigating, socializing, establishing dominance, attracting mates, avoiding predators, and finding food.
Using space- and time-based measures, we study marine animal sounds. We evaluate the impacts of human-produced sounds on acoustically sensitive marine mammals to inform management, conservation, and education.
With our partners, we have been deploying recorders on the ocean bottom since 2004 to record sound in the Northwest Atlantic. These recorders collect and store acoustic data for time periods ranging from several weeks to two years. The data we collect are used to characterize ocean noise and study the acoustic behavior of marine mammals and fish. They also help us understand the numbers and location of species in these waters.
To view different acoustic deployments, visit our deployment map.
Explore our research to find out more about us:
- Fish & Invertebrate Acoustic Research
- Marine Mammal Acoustic Research
- Soundscapes and Ocean Noise Research
- Acoustic Technologies
- Collaborative Projects
Coming soon: Link to upload passive acoustic detection data. For more information, or immediate assistance, contact nmfs.pacmdata@noaa.gov.
