Monitoring small cetaceans using passive acoustics to inform cross-border conservation efforts

Ewan Edwards1, Suzanne Beck2, Cathy Gibson2, Kate Brookes1, Ben Wilson3, Denise Risch3

@ewaneddy @suuz_beck @KLBrookes80 @bwilson999 @denrisch

676

(a)

(b)

(c)

1

2

3

4

56

7

8

9

10

The COMPASS project, fundedthrough the EU INTERREG VAprogramme, is utilising staticpassive acoustic monitoring in thecross-border region betweenScotland, Northern Ireland and theRepublic of Ireland, to inform themanagement of protected areasand conservation of species.

Aims of the COMPASS project Cetaceans work package:

• Establish a network of monitoringbuoys to detect and monitorcetacean occurrence

• Develop methodologies to identifycetacean species from acousticdetections

• Monitor and report on ambientnoise levels in cross-border region

The COMPASS project is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

Preliminary results: harbour porpoise detection positive minutes per day

3 Shiant Isles, Scotland

Data collection• Chelonia C-PODs deployed at 10 sites• Data collection from Nov 2017 – Mar 2020• 95% data logger recovery rate 2017 - 2019

Future work• Extend the array with INTERREG VA MarPAMM

data collection (2019 – 2020)• Compare C-POD and SoundTrap detections• Identify other odontocete species• Other marine mammals (mysticetes, pinnipeds)

1 Marine Scotland Science, Aberdeen, Scotland2 Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland

3 Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Scotland

1 Tolsta Head 2 Stoer Head 3 Shiant Isles 4 Hyskeir 5 Garvellach Isles

6 Stanton Banks 7 Malin Head 8 Skerries 9 Middle Bank 10 Copelands

There are multiple marine protected areas in the region, including three Special Areas of Conservation for harbour porpoise:(a) Inner Hebrides and Minches SAC

(b) Skerries and Causeway SAC

(c) North Channel SAC

S c o t l a n d

R e p . o f I r e l a n d

C-POD and SoundTrap mooring with acoustic release

9 Middle Bank, Northern Ireland

• Two years monitoring data have been collected• Large degree of variability in rates of detection

between sites, but some patterns are emerging• Generally, the highest rates of detection are in the

winter period (which often lacks monitoring data)• Stronger seasonal pattern at deeper water sites

₋ Do porpoises move to deeper water over winter?

• Rates of detection within the SACs amongst thehighest observed in NW European waters₋ > 700 minutes per day