BOEM is pleased to announce the following paper and can be found at link below.

HDR (Athens, AL). 2022. Passive acoustic monitoring program for the Northern Gulf of Mexico: project report. New Orleans (LA): US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 337 p. Contract No.: M17PC00001. Report No.: OCS Study BOEM: 2022-074.
https://espis.boem.gov/final%20reports/BOEM_2022-074.pdf

Abstract

The program objective was to design and field test implementation of a large-scale, multi-year, underwater passive acoustic monitoring in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Underwater acoustic data were collected within a defined study area over an approximately 24-month period using a mix of stationary and mobile platforms. Data were analyzed to characterize the existing soundscape
(including sounds contributed by both natural and anthropogenic sources). A site-specific three-dimensional (3D) underwater sound propagation numerical model was setup and used to assess sound focusing and defocusing effects caused by 3D variations in underwater bathymetry.

Conclusions

Dominant sound sources recorded during this study varied seasonally and primarily consisted of seismic surveys, shipping, storms, and marine mammal calls. The 3D underwater sound propagation model provided valuable data for capturing and understanding focusing and defocusing effects due to 3D variations in bathymetry. These effects can meaningfully intensify or reduce received levels anthropogenic noise, potentially influencing localized impacts to marine mammals. Biological sounds (dolphin whistles, sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) clicks, Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) clicks, and beaked whale clicks) were present throughout all deployments.

Thanks,

Tre

Donald (Tre) W. Glenn, III, Ph.D., P.E., CFM
Protected Species Biologist
Consultation Specialist

Professional Environmental Engineer

Contracting Officer's Representative III

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

GOMRO, Office of Environment

Mail Stop GM 673E
1201 Elmwood Park Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana 70123