Longitudes of Imagination | SanctSound
Longitude Sound Bytes podcast is bringing innovative insights from professionals around the world to you.
As part of our Longitudes of Imagination series, we are exploring the roles of individuals, technologies and research in ocean science and space technology.
For our fifth installment, the fellows share highlights from their conversations with scientists and members of the U.S. Marine Sanctuaries about their experiences with the sanctuary soundscape monitoring project. SanctSound is a collaborative project of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Navy, along with numerous academic and commercial partners to better understand the acoustic habitat of marine animals.
Tune into episodes 105 through 110, then explore a multitude of underwater sounds through the SanctSound Data Portal.
Ep 105: Introducing SanctSound – Listen Read
Longitude fellow Jacqueline Buskop (Rice University) presents an introduction to our series on NOAA’s soundscape monitoring at the U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries and shares highlights from the conversations led by Tony Zhou (Yale University), Laurel Chen (Rice University), Jesse Annan van der Meulen (Rice University) and Melisa Acimis (Sabanci University).
Ep 106: Planning of SanctSound – Listen Read
“Our science plan is to better understand how animals are using sound, because the more we understand all of those uses, the better we can get at what it is animals need us to mitigate or reduce that is harmful.”
A conversation with Leila Hatch (Research Ecologist at NOAA) on the broader role of NOAA and the origin of the SanctSound project. Presented by Longitude fellow Jesse Annan van der Meulen.
Ep 107: Listening to the Entire Ecosystem – Listen Read
“What makes this project really impactful is, we have open access to our methods and to our results.”
A conversation with Lindsey Peavey Reeves (West Coast Region Sanctuary Soundscape Monitoring Project Coordinator) about conservation fieldwork and the holistic nature of soundscape monitoring. Presented by Longitude fellow Laurel Chen.
Ep 108: Gathering and Sharing Data – Listen Read
“We are focused on understanding and characterizing the soundscapes.”
A conversation with Eden Zang (Research Specialist at Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary) about the processes for collecting and analyzing sound data to develop baseline understandings. Presented by Longitude fellow Jacqueline Buskop.
Ep 109: Understanding the Nature of Underwater Sounds – Listen Read
“In order to understand life in the ocean, we need to understand not just the forms of life, but also their environment, their very dynamic environment.”
A conversation with John Ryan (Biological Oceanographer at MBARI) about the nature of underwater sounds. Presented by Longitude fellow Melisa Acimis.
Ep 110: Paving a Path Towards New Technologies – Listen Read
“When we study sound, we’re looking at the frequency or the pitch of the sound, and then also the intensity. I’m focused exclusively on low frequencies, really low pitch sounds that can travel quite a distance in the ocean.”
A conversation with Samara Haver (Postdoctoral Scholar at Oregon State University) about the role of acoustics research in developing technologies for ocean life conservation. Presented by Longitude fellow Tony Zhou.
Photo credits: John Calambokidis and NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries