IMOS - Ships of Opportunity – Bioacoustics - Data from RV Aurora Australis in the Southern Ocean from the 16th of April 2012 to the 18th of April 2012.

This Bio Acoustic data was collected in April 2012 under the IMOS Ship of Opportunity (SOOP) Bio Acoustic (BA) program on RV Aurora Australis (IMOS platform code: VNAA).Departed: Australia, April 16, 2012Arrived:      Macquarie Island, April 18, 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（Bio Acoustic, BA）数据集采集于2012年4月，依托集成海洋观测系统（Integrated Marine Observing System, IMOS）的机会船舶（Ship of Opportunity, SOOP）生物声学项目，在极光南极号科考船（RV Aurora Australis，IMOS平台代码：VNAA）上完成。启航地：澳大利亚，2012年4月16日；抵达地：麦夸里岛，2012年4月18日。

生物声学信号可用于解析中层猎物物种的分布格局，这类物种统称为小型中层游泳生物（micronekton），涵盖小型鱼类、鱿鱼、磷虾与水母等类群。

中层猎物构成海洋食物网的核心环节，能够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，可反映海洋结构与功能的大尺度格局，同时也能体现海洋生态系统的动态变化。

声学测绘工作由配备经科学校准的38 kHz数字回声测深仪的捕捞及科研船舶完成，该设备可记录深度达1500米的声学背散射信号切片。