Passive acoustic monitoring of the ocean ambient sound field is a critical aspect of NOAA's mandate for ocean and coastal stewardship. This includes detecting and characterizing: (1) sounds produced and used by living marine resources (e.g., endangered marine mammals); (2) natural sources of noise from physical oceanographic processes; and (3) anthropogenic noise sources that contribute to the overall ocean noise environment. Noise generated by anthropogenic activities (especially commercial shipping and seismic oil & gas exploration) is increasingly being recognized as a potential threat to marine mammals which are protected in the U.S. by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Current scientific data suggest that increased ambient noise levels impact marine mammals by hindering communication (Hatch et al. 2012), altering communication behavior (Parks et al. 2013), altering locomotive behavior (Pirotta et al. 2013), and inducing stress (Rolland et al. 2012). Additional concerns associated with the degraded acoustic quality of diverse habitats broaden these concerns to include possible repercussions for fish and invertebrate species, many of which NOAA manages as commercially-harvested, protects as resources within sanctuaries, or studies as key elements to sustaining healthy ecosystems. For these reasons it is important for science-based regulatory agencies including NOAA to monitor long-term trends and changes in the ambient sound field. The objective of the proposed project is to establish a network of initially ten ocean noise reference stations in U.S. waters to monitor long-term changes and trends in the underwater ambient sound field (McDonald et al. 2006). Our plan is to deploy identical autonomous acoustic recording systems developed in-house at PMEL at each reference station to ensure proper calibration and consistency of the collected data sets.

Fisheries acoustics data are collected from more than 200 sea-days each year aboard the FRV DELAWARE II and FRV ALBATROSS IV (decommissioned) and the FSV Henry B. Bigelow during pelagic, bottom-trawl, and marine mammal surveys. Acoustic sampling operations include continuous measurements using hull-mounted transducers and multi-frequency scientific echosounders. Biological sampling with midwater and bottom trawls, and underwater video deployments is conducted to verify species-specific backscatter and characterize sea-floor habitat. In-situ and laboratory experiments aid in understanding species-specific acoustic measurements. We are continuously developing, testing, and evaluating advanced sampling technologies during laboratory and field experiments to improve abundance estimates and map spatial and temporal distributions of fish and invertebrates. Acoustic, optic, and biological data are audited and archived in the NEFSC relational data management system.

Passive acoustic monitoring buoys have been deployed in shallow waters between North Carolina and Northern Florida since 2003. These units are bottom mounted recorders that collect data on sound for periods of 3-6 months. The resulting data are analyzed to identify vocalizations that are unique to North Atlantic Right whales to document their occurrence in these waters. These data have been used to evaluate the seasonal occurrence of North Atlantic right whales in waters south of North Carolina during winter months.

Cetacean Ecology Survey at North Western Hawaiian Islands (SE1303, EK60). The goal of the cruise was to collect data on the abundance, distribution, stock structure, and habitat of cetaceans in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) using 7 integrated operations. These operations included visual observations, passive acoustic monitoring, photo-identification, biopsy sampling, satellite tagging, small boat surveys, and oceanography (CTD, Chlorophyll, XBT, and surface samples). A High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) was recovered during the cruise.

Comparison of fishery-independent methods for sampling Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish assemblages (SE1302, EK60). Optical, active acoustics, and research fishing data on bottomfish abundance and biomass were collected over predetermined grids to compare results of methodologies. Optical data were collected using a baited stationary Botcam, a SeaBED AUV, and a BlueView imaging sonar. Acoustics data were collected using a narrow-beam EK60 system operating at 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz frequencies. Research fishing was conducted using hook-and-line on small boats. Simultaneous AUV and ROV with active acoustics were operated to obtain target strength measurements of fish with known species and sizes. Bottomfishing off the Sette were conducted simultaneously with acoustics data collection to further groundtruth the acoustics data.

Cruise NF-12-03-GRNMS (Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary) (EK60). Three projects are planned for the duration of this cruise: acoustic fish tracking, marine debris surveys, and collection of A. zebra samples. Two additional ancillary projects are also planned for the cruise: photo and video documentaitonand multibema mapping.

Kona Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Survey (SE1304, EK60). This cruise accomplished the following objectives: Oceanographic data were collected from a total of 21 CTD casts and continuous TSG measurements along a predefined grid off the west coast of Hawaii to assess the influence of physical dynamics on the region's biological productivity. CTD-mounted fluorometer measurements were carried out by two fluorometers. Chlorophyll was measured for ten discrete samples per CTD using a bench top Turner 10-AU fluorometer. Water samples were preserved for post-cruise flow cytometry to determine phytoplankton size structure. Biological backscatter was monitored using the EK60 echosounder system, both during trawl operations and along 71 acoustic transects at 38, 70, and 120 kHz frequencies. Twenty two nighttime oblique mid-water trawls were conducted targeting the shallow sound scattering layer. Visual surveys for a total of 70 hours were conducted to collect data on cetaceans. A Seaglider was successfully deployed to collect temperature, salinity, and fluorometry data.

Northeast Integrated Pelagic Survey (GU1305, EK60). During the survey we will quantify the spatial distribution of the following parameters: water currents, water properties, phytoplankton, microzooplankton, mesozooplankton, pelagic fish and invertebrates, sea turtles, marine mammals, and sea birds. We will use traditional and novel techniques and instruments. In essence, the approaches of the Ecosystem Monitoring survey and the NEFSC Herring Acoustic survey are combined here and augmented to include a broad array of measurements of the pelagic ecosystem. Operational objectives are to: (1) collect underway data using TSG, SCS, and ADCP; (2) complete CTD and bongo operations at stations throughout area, (3) calibrate the EK60 Scientific Sounder, (4) conduct acoustic surveys using the EK60, (5) collect biological data to verify species-specific acoustic measurements using midwater trawls, (6) collect marine mammal and seabird observations.

Kona Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Survey (SE1401, EK60). This cruise accomplished the following objectives: Oceanographic data were collected from a total of 6 CTD casts and continuous TSG measurements along a predefined grid off the west coast of Hawaii to assess the influence of physical dynamics on the region's biological productivity. CTD-mounted fluorometer measurements were carried out by two fluorometers. Biological backscatter was monitored using the EK60 echosounder system, both during trawl operations and along 7 acoustic transects (including at least one daytime and one nighttime transit of each transect). One nighttime oblique mid-water trawl was conducted prior to the net being damaged beyond repair by contact with the seafloor. Four casts of a DIDSON imaging sonar were conducted to collect high resolution information on the density of high sonic scattering layers. An ROV was deployed 5 times to investigate acoustic scattering layers and adjacent layers. Deep handline jigging was accomplished during day and night to investigate scattering layer macrofauna. Data on cetacean distribution, school size, and school composition were collected via daytime visual surveys on 9 days of transects coupled with several days of small boat survey effort. Two HARP units were deployed for passive autonomous detection of cetaceans and several sonabuoys were also deployed during daytime operations for cetacean detection and identification.

2013 Fall CalCOFI. The California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) are a unique partnership of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries Service and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The organization was formed in 1949 to study the ecological aspects of the sardine population collapse off California. Today our focus has shifted to the study of the marine environment off the coast of California, the management of its living resources, and monitoring the indicators of El Nino and climate change. CalCOFI conducts quarterly cruises off southern and central California, collecting a suite of hydrographic and biological data on station and underway. Data collected at depths down to 500 meters include: temperature, salinity, oxygen, phosphate, silicate, nitrate and nitrite, chlorophyll, transmissometer, PAR, C14 primary productivity, phytoplankton biodiversity, zooplankton biomass, and zooplankton biodiversity.