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Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Reports

Formal report series, containing results of research and monitoring carried out by Marine Scotland Science

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Acoustic Assessment of SIMRAD EK60 High Frequency Echo Sounder Signals (120 & 200 kHz) in the Context of Marine Mammal Monitoring

Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 8 No 13

The use of active high frequency echo sounders for commercial activities and marine research has been increasing in recent years. Compared to other anthropogenic noise sources, high frequency echo sounders have received little attention in terms of their potential impacts on marine life. However, while these devices typically operate at centre frequencies outside the hearing range of most marine species, recent work has demonstrated that they may produce unintended energy at lower frequencies. These lower frequencies may extend into the audible range for several species of marine mammals and have the potential to affect their behaviour (Deng et al. 2014). Given the theoretical detectability of these lower frequencies by marine mammals, both signal types have the potential to elicit behavioural responses towards them. This should be considered in environmental impact assessments of activities using these devices and when planning marine mammal monitoring studies alongside ecosystem studies using active acoustic sonar systems.

doi: 
10.7489/1978-1
Citation: 
Risch, D., Wilson, B. and Lepper, P. (2017) Acoustic Assessment of SIMRAD EK60 High Frequency Echo Sounder Signals (120 & 200 kHz) in the Context of Marine Mammal Monitoring. Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 8 No 13, 24pp. DOI: 10.7489/1978-1
FieldValue
Publisher
Modified
2020-01-07
Release Date
2017-09-11
Identifier
146fba6f-e41e-4274-94f6-caf0a2d29e71
Spatial / Geographical Coverage Location
Scotland
License
UK Open Government Licence (OGL)
Data Dictionary

This study measured the full frequency spectrum of the SIMRAD EK60 echo sounder operating at target frequencies of 120 and 200 kHz. This echo sounder is widely used in the marine science and fish stock assessment communities. Results showed that the generation of both signal types produced broadband energy at frequencies below the system’s target frequencies of 120 kHz and 200 kHz, in the range of 70-100 kHz and 90-150 kHz for the 120 and 200 kHz signals, respectively. For harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), the target frequency of the 120 kHz signal and subcomponents of the 200 kHz signal fall within the region of highest hearing sensitivity and are thus potentially detectable. While less sensitive at higher frequencies, measured signal levels indicate that harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) will likely also be able to detect the lower frequencies (70-100 kHz) generated by both signal types. Detection of these signals will be dependent on source power, signal duration, repetition rate, signal directionality and the animal’s proximity to the beam centre. In addition, detection will be dependent on water depth, local ambient noise and seabed and surface scattering, all affecting signal propagation characteristics.

Contact Name
Marine Scotland Science
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Public Access Level
Public