ATU MARINE SCIENTISTS COMPLETE MARINE MAMMAL AND UNDERWATER NOISE SURVEY FROM THE STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR TO IRELAND

Marine Institute-funded AMIGOS Research Survey conducted on board the RV Celtic Explorer (Oct)

A group of Galway marine scientists led by Dr María Pérez Tadeo (Chief Scientist), postdoctoral researcher at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), recently completed a major sea survey off the south coast of Spain titled “Acoustic Monitoring from Ireland to Gibraltar Oceanic Waters Survey” or AMIGOS survey, on board the RV Celtic Explorer.

Funded by the Marine Institute Ship-time Award the group commenced the survey in Lisbon, Portugal, on 20 October. They followed transects around the Gulf of Cadiz, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and on to the Mediterranean before traveling back to Ireland on 30 October.

One of the main aims of the survey was to contribute to data collection in acoustic monitoring of marine mammals and underwater noise as part of the EU-funded Horizon project STRAITS (Strategic Infrastructure for Improved Animal Tracking in European Seas)—STRAITS is led by the Northern Ireland-based Loughs Agency and ATU is one of its lead partners with Dr Joanne O'Brien as Principal Investigator (PI) and María Pérez Tadeo as project manager.

Working on the AMIGOS interdisciplinary survey were also scientists from the University of Galway, University of Southampton and from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Besides the collection of the underwater soundscape, the group also conducted CTD stations in order to determine the salinity, temperature, and depth in the water column, water sampling to assess primary productivity, and seabird and marine mammal observations. The survey was also a great training opportunity for early career researchers and students who accompanied Drs O’Brien and Tadeo.

Speaking about the survey, Dr María Pérez Tadeo (Chief Scientist), says: “This survey provided a valuable opportunity to collect extensive data on marine mammals and underwater noise levels across European waters. These data will provide baseline information, allow us to compare noise levels across regions and assess the impact of human-made noise on marine life.”

ATU Marine Scientist and STRAITS Project PI Dr Joanne O’Brien says: This was an excellent opportunity for the team to collect data for the STRAITS project but also facilitate collaborations with other universities as well as offshore training for ATU postgraduates.”

For further information click on the STRAITS project or follow the Instagram’s account @amigos_survey

Issued by Regina Daly, Atlantic TU Communications 
Tel: +353 (0)91 742826 Mob: +353 (0)879618355regina.daly@atu.ie  www.atu.ie/news