Systematic acoustic line-transect survey for cetaceans in Pacific Canadian offshore waters

The DFO Cetacean Research Program (CRP) has been tasked with conducting a systematic line-transect survey throughout all waters in the Canadian Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, 200 nautical mile offshore limit) in order to estimate the abundance and distribution of cetacean species in this region. In addition to visual observations, this survey will rely on a team of acoustic technicians using a towed array to detect those species for which visual methods are not effective, specifically, Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus), Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall’s Porpoise, and all species of Beaked whale (Family Ziphiidae) known to occur in Canadian Pacific waters, including, Baird’s (Berardius bairdii), Cuvier’s (Ziphius cavirostris), Stejneger’s (Mesoplodon stejnegeri), and Hubb’s (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi) beaked whales. These cryptic species can be very challenging to detect visually at the surface due to small body size and extremely long dives. However, these species vocalize readily while at depth making them more reliably detected by acoustic methods. Localized acoustic detections of the target species from the survey will be used to calculate acoustically-derived abundance and density estimates for these species in Pacific Canadian waters. In addition, the towed array will also be used to detect and record all other species of odontocetes (toothed whales) encountered during the survey for reference and species diagnostics.

In addition to the systematic towed array effort for odontocetes, Directional Frequency Analysis and Recording (DiFAR) sonobuoys will be deployed periodically to subsample the study area for vocalizing large baleen whales (Blue (Balaenoptera musculus), Fin (Balaenoptera physalus), Sei (Balaenoptera borealis), Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and North Pacific Right Whales (Eubalaena japonica)) to complement visual sighting data. Low-frequency noise from water movement, cable strum, and the survey vessel overlaps with the low-frequency vocalizations of large whales and renders towed arrays rather ineffective in detecting these species. However, these species can be effectively detected with sonobuoys.

The contractor will:

1. Provide a team of three (3) acoustic technicians, comprised of two (2) senior acoustic technicians, and one (1) junior acoustic technician, or three (3) senior acoustic technicians, who will:
   1. set-up, take down, and maintain acoustic survey related equipment on the ship;
   2. conduct the acoustic data collection continuously, 24-hours per day throughout the survey period on a rotational schedule.
   3. Make periodic sonobuoy deployments and conduct signal acquisition, recording, and localization on large whale vocalizations.

Senior technician refers to a technician that has proven prior experience in conducting at least 3 ship-based acoustic line-transect surveys with a focus on marine mammal research (not mitigation). This experience must include being at sea for prolonged/extended periods of at least 4-week continuous periods. They must be able to independently set-up, maintain, and troubleshoot the survey equipment, and have proven experience in making system repairs. These technicians must also be capable of leading the acoustic team during the survey, and must have been in a leadership role on at least one of their prior surveys.

Junior Technician refers to a technician that has been trained to perform all survey-related tasks, and has been involved in conducting the at-sea portion of at least 1 prior cetacean towed array survey.

1. Conduct the acoustic survey operations for the duration of the survey. The survey will span July 3, 2018 until August 14, 2018, and take place in offshore waters of Canada’s Pacific EEZ. The survey will be conducted from the Canadian Coast Guard Ship, John P. Tully.
2. For the duration of the survey period provide all equipment and software necessary to collect, process, and store live-streaming towed hydrophone array data and sonobuoy deployment data in real-time aboard the survey vessel. All of this equipment must be tested as a system prior to being shipped to the port of departure and be proven to be in good working order. Sensor performance needs to be verified through calibration. Please refer to “Tasks” section for minimum equipment provision requirements, and details.
3. Conduct semi-real-time processing of the data using proven automated click detectors and species-specific click classifiers configured for the subject species (see Background for species list and Tasks for more detail).
4. Provide hands-on training to at least one employee of the Cetacean Research Program in such a manner that this employee can work as the 4^th acoustic team member for the duration of the survey. See Tasks for more detail.