Dear marmam community,
We'd like to bring your attention to two recently published articles on
marine mammal detection using infrared (IR) imaging:
A) evaluates the influence of environmental factors on thermal imaging
systems for marine mammal detection, provides various detection
functions, and compares automatic detection algorithm performance
against visual observers.
B) describes a vessel based field experiment where IR imaging, passive
acoustic monitoring (PAM), and visual observers were compared for their
real-time marine mammal detection performance in the North Atlantic.
Both articles are Open Access.
A)
Scaling the laws of thermal imaging-based whale detection.
DP Zitterbart, H Smith, M Flau, S Richter, E Burkhardt, J Beland, L
Bennett, A Cammareri, A Davis, M Holst, C Lanfredi, H Michel, M Noad, K
Owen, A Pacini, and Olaf Boebel
Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JTECH-D-19-0054.1
Abstract:
Marine mammals are under growing pressure as anthropogenic use of the
ocean increases. Ship-strikes of large whales and loud underwater sound
sources including airguns for marine geophysical prospecting and naval
mid-frequency sonar are criticized for their possible negative effects
on marine mammals. Competent authorities regularly require the
implementation of mitigation measures, including vessel speed reductions
or shut-down of acoustic sources if marine mammals are sighted in
sensitive areas or in predefined exclusion zones around a vessel. To
ensure successful mitigation, reliable at-sea detection of animals is
crucial. To date, ship-based marine mammal observers are the most
commonly implemented detection method, however thermal (IR) imaging
based automatic detection systems have been used in recent years. This
study evaluates thermal imaging-based automatic whale detection
technology for its use across different oceans. The performance of this
technology is characterized with respect to environmental conditions,
and an automatic detection algorithm for whale blows is presented. The
technology can detect whales in polar, temperate and subtropical ocean
regimes over distances of up to several kilometers and outperforms
marine mammal observers in the number of whales detected. These results
show that thermal imaging technology can be used to assist in providing
protection for marine mammals against ship-strike and acoustic impact
across the world’s oceans.
and
B)
A field comparison of marine mammal detections via visual, acoustic, and
infrared (IR) imaging methods offshore Atlantic Canada.
HR Smith, DP Zitterbart, TF Norris, M Flau, E Ferguson, C Jones, O
Boebel, V Moulton
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 154, May 2020, 111026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111026
Abstract:
Impulsive sounds generated during seismic surveys have elicited
behavioral responses in marine mammals and could cause hearing
impairment or injury. Mitigating exposure to seismic sound often relies
on real-time marine mammal detection. Detection performance is
influenced by detection method, environmental conditions, and observer
experience. We conducted a field comparison of real-time detections made
by marine mammal observers (MMOs), a rotating infrared (IR) camera, and
via passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Data were collected from a 38 m
research vessel offshore Atlantic Canada. Our results indicate that
overall detection rates increase when complementary methods are used.
MMOs and PAM are likely the most effective combination during high seas
and precipitation. PAM and IR can be used in darkness. In good
visibility, MMOs with IR or PAM should increase detections. Our results
illustrate the importance of addressing false positive IR detections,
matching system capabilities to sea conditions/species of interest, and
employing experienced observers.
Please contact Daniel Zitterbart (d...@whoi.edu) or Heather Smith
(hsm...@lgl.com) with any questions.
All the best,
Daniel & Heather
--
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Daniel P. Zitterbart
Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
213 Bigelow Lab., MS#11
Woods Hole, MA 02543
USA
mail: d...@whoi.edu
group site: https://www2.whoi.edu/staff/dzitterbart/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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