IMOS - Ships of Opportunity – Bioacoustics - Data from Sealord FV Will Watch in the Indian Ocean from the 28th of February 2012 to the 3rd of March 2012.

This Bio Acoustic data was collected in February/March 2012 under the IMOS Ship of Opportunity (SOOP) Bio Acoustic (BA) program on Sealord FV Will Watch (IMOS platform code: E5WW).Departed: Western Indian Ocean, February 28, 2012Arrived:     Western Indian Ocean, March 03, 2012Bio acoustic signals allow understanding how mid-water prey species (known collectively as micronekton) such as small fish, squid, krill and jellyfish are distributed. Mid-water prey form the core of the ocean food web, transferring energy from primary producers at the ocean surface to top predators such as tunas, billfish, sharks, seals and seabirds.The mass and distribution of micronekton reflects broad-scale patterns in the structure and function of the ocean, as well as the dynamics of marine ecosystems. Acoustic mapping is done from fishing and scientific vessels that are equipped with scientifically-calibrated 38 kHz digital echo-sounders that record a slice of acoustic backscatter to a depth of 1500 meters.

本生物声学数据集采集于2012年2月至3月，依托IMOS机遇船计划（Ship of Opportunity, SOOP）下的生物声学（Bio Acoustic, BA）项目，搭载于Sealord公司FV Will Watch号（IMOS平台代码：E5WW）。
起航地：西印度洋，2012年2月28日
抵达地：西印度洋，2012年3月3日

生物声学信号可用于解析中层水域猎物类群（统称为微自游生物（micronekton））的分布格局，该类群涵盖小型鱼类、头足类、磷虾与水母。中层猎物类群构成海洋食物网的核心环节，可将能量从海洋表层的初级生产者传递至金枪鱼、旗鱼、鲨鱼、海豹与海鸟等顶级捕食者。

微自游生物的生物量与分布情况，能够反映海洋生态系统结构与功能的宏观格局，以及海洋生态系统的动态变化过程。声学测绘工作由配备经科学校准的38 kHz数字回声测深仪的渔业与科研船只完成，该设备可记录至1500米深度范围内的声学背散射数据切片。