Advanced Signal Processing of IUSS Acoustic Data to Monitor Fishing Vessels and Whales

For several decades, the U.S. Navy hasmaintained the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) to detect and locate targets of specific interest. Identification of IUSS acoustic signals required highly trained specialists to perform in-depth analysis of data having high levels of background noise or clutter. Much of this background includes acoustic emissions from fishing vessels and whale vocalizations. We propose to use data from the IUSS to support government agencies in their drive to prevent illegal fisheries exploitation and whaling activities. The use of IUSS systems and maritime patrol aircraft will enable marine biologists, the Navy, and fishery personnel to monitor whales and fishing/whaling activities in many geographic regions. In Phase I, we will apply ORINCON's experience with IUSS sytems and field-proven coustic surveillance technologies to determine the feasibility of using existing IUSS resources and maritime patrol aircraft to detect, classify, and monitor whale and fishing/whaling vessel activities. Samples of IUSS data have been used by ORINCON and by researchers for the National Marine Mammal Laboratory and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to study finback (Balanenoptera physalus) and humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whales.