Valuable information for Dolphin Conservation
Unlike visual observations campaigns, acoustic surveys allow detection of cetaceans, both day and night, and in any weather conditions. The C-POD is a lightweight device, long battery life (up to 4 months) and allows the detection of delphinids’clicks over a radius of over a kilometer. With this device, the Delphinidaes’ residence in some areas may be specified providing valuable information for the conservation of these species.By coupling this deployment with visual observations, Agoa might even ultimately define what are the uses of these areas by dolphins (feeding, socialization …).
Test phase: a first in the tropics
The presence of many species of delphinids as well as slamming shrimps in hot waters, are parameters which have never been tested on this device. Indeed, the sound propagation parameters vary in particular according to the temperature. The C-POD has only been tested in areas with low species diversity delphinids unlike Agoa scope that identifies the presence of more than a dozen species of Delphinidae. Finally, the chattering shrimp, many in the field, emit sounds of high intensity. All these parameters will impact more or less data.A test phase was completed on the buoys of Guadeloupe National Park in front of the municipality of Bouillante.
Operational phase: application in the sanctuary Agoa
If the test is successful, these devices can be deployed in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy.Deployments may be carried out on areas where delphinids sightings are common to define the movements’ frequency of these species or areas where knowledge is weak, allowing the acquisition of data on some areas surveyed.
