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 (dpz@whoi.edu) or Heather Smith (hsmith@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: dpz@whoi.edu group site: https://www2.whoi.edu/staff/dzitterbart/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++