IMOS - Ships of Opportunity – Bioacoustics - Data from Sealord FV Will Watch in the Indian Ocean from the 11th of February 2012 to the 17th of February 2012.

This Bio Acoustic data was collected in February 2012 under the IMOS Ship of Opportunity (SOOP) Bio Acoustic (BA) program on Sealord FV Will Watch (IMOS platform code: E5WW).Departed: Central Indian Ocean, February 11, 2012Arrived:     Central Indian Ocean, February 17, 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，依托海洋综合观测系统（Integrated Marine Observing System, IMOS）的机会观测船计划（Ship of Opportunity, SOOP）生物声学（Bio Acoustic, BA）项目，搭载于Sealord旗下FV Will Watch号（IMOS平台代码：E5WW）。该航次起航于中印度洋，2012年2月11日；抵达中印度洋，2012年2月17日。生物声学信号可用于解析中层水域猎物类群的分布模式，这类类群被统称为小型中层游泳生物（micronekton），涵盖小型鱼类、头足类、磷虾与水母等物种。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。小型中层游泳生物的生物量与分布状况，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。本次声学测绘由配备经科学校准的38 kHz数字回声测深仪的渔业及科研船只完成，该设备可记录深度达1500米的声学背散射信号切片。