North Atlantic Right Whale Conservation: The Acoustic Glider Initiative in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
For the first time, we will have three acoustic gliders monitoring for North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. These gliders are a collaborative effort between our team, the Dalhousie University 's Ocean Tracking Network, and the University of New Brunswick . Their mission? Detect North Atlantic Right Whales.??
Here’s how they work:??
The gliders help us learn more about the North Atlantic right whales and their presence near vessel traffic in the Gulf. They also play an important role in the management of Transport Canada’s dynamic shipping zones.??
Experts remotely guide the acoustic gliders through the ocean depths, travelling well below the surface where the gliders’ hydrophones capture North Atlantic right whale vocalizations called “upcalls.”???
Each of the gliders is equipped with a unique buoyancy engine that enables them to travel at different depths, while the wings on either side enable them to glide through the water. Once they have completed their mission, the gliders surface to send data via satellite, keeping us in the loop with near real-time updates.??
There is no doubt these gliders, with their remarkable capabilities, represent a big milestone in the way we monitor these majestic creatures.???