Abstract:

Acoustic detections of cetacean (beaked whales, sperm whales, and dolphins) phonations were classified using Matlab. Detection events are reported by buoy number, with associated filename, duration, number of clicks in each event, and timestamp for the beginning of the detection event. Corresponding site location for each buoy number, as well as file directory, can be found in dataset R4.x261.233:0005.

Suggested Citation:

Chris Tiemann. 2018. Acoustic detections of cetaceans from bottom-moored Environmental Acoustic Recording System (EARS) buoys in the northern Gulf of Mexico June-October 2015. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N76M34VG

Purpose:

Detection events were used to determine seasonal patterns at each site location of delphinids, sperm whales, and beaked whales.

Data Parameters and Units:

Column A: The 'type' field (a single-digit integer code) is used to indicate which frequency bands an event spanned: band 1 (low) = 3-20 kHz, band 2 (medium) = 25-55 kHz, band 3 (high) = 60-90 kHz, Type codes (low, medium, and high bands): 1 = L, 2 = M, 3 = L M, 4 = H, 5 = H L, 6 = H M, 7 = H M L. Column B: EARS filenames inherently contain the year and year-day information (assuming January 1 is yearday 1, not 0). The filename also contains a 4-digit hexadecimal index number and buoy number/disk number information in the extension. For example: 5dddFFFF.BBD, where, 5 = year 2015 for LADC-GEMM year 1 data collection event, ddd = three-digit yearday, FFFF = hexadecimal index number, BB = buoy number, 01 to 10, D = disk number, 0 to 3. Note that when the disk number is "0" the last decimal point in the file name "D" will not show. Column C: start record (file from beginning) Column D: duration (number of records) Column E: duration (seconds) Column F: number of clicks Column G: timestamp (UTC - GMT) Each .csv filename has the corresponding buoy number. Each physical mooring was deployed with two electronics packages. The location and depth of the moorings (electronic package) are: Buoy 1 and Buoy 3: 28.65173°N, 88.52617°W, 1500m Buoy 2 and Buoy 10: 28.40758°N, 88.62050°W, 1500m Buoy 4 and Buoy 6: 28.65091°N, 88.51998°W, 1500m Buoy 5 and Buoy 9: 28.62958°N, 88.52380°W, 1500m Buoy 7 and Buoy 8: 28.39107°N, 88.99627°W, 1000m. The physical mooring containing these Buoys was lost at sea.

Individual Files: