165
ment and redeployed of the HARP is expected to be done every year during the
shipboard surveys.
The data already collected and analyzed allowed us to described previously
unknown echolocation signal types, likely produced by two Antarctic beaked whale
species (Trickey et al. 2015), and also killer whale high-frequency whistles which
had not been described before for an Antarctic killer whale ecotype (Reyes Reyes
et al. 2016b). We were also able to estimate seasonal fin whale acoustic activity
around Elephant Island, through the calculation of an acoustic index measured as
the signal to noise ratio at 21 Hz (Baumann-Pickering et al. 2015).
This long-term project (planned for ten consecutive years) involves researchers from
several countries in Latin America as well as researchers from the Scripps Institution of
Oceanography, University of California where all the acoustic equipment was built.
6.6 Final Recommendations
The information shown in the present chapter shows a clear shortage in acoustic
information of cetaceans in Argentina. While with time we have succeeded in
implementing some systematic research in the country, a lot remains to be done.
Within the challenges observed, we note the need of specialized researchers in the
topic. Many have tried to develop research without understanding the basic requirements of an equipment for a particular study, or without knowing how to analyze the
data. Therefore, we recommend to either take courses on bioacoustics and/ or to seek
for advice from experts to use the limited resources in an efficient way.
Another way of overcoming the problem of not knowing which type of equipment to use is to look for available literature proceeding from other areas in which
the target species was studied. That may give us valuable information on potential
recording devices as well as experimental design.
We have found that establishing international collaborations can be extremely
useful when it comes to developing a new research line. Not only did they already
go through the experience of starting up, but may help with equipment, tips and
training of local researchers.
Multidisciplinary work usually enriches the research. Interacting with biologists,
engineers, physicists, vets and technicians, among others, can help us cover more
aspects within the same research project.
Finally, we would like to stress out the importance of collaboration. Particularly
in Latin America, where certain resources are scarce, it is crucial to help each other
to complement our strengths, seek for advice, and help each other.
Acknowledgements We would like to thank Pablo Bordino, Guillermo Caille, Claudio
Campagna, Luis Capozzo, Iris Caceres, Silvana Dans, Cristian de Haro, Natalia Dellabianca,
Diego Rodriguez, Mariano Sironi, Peter Thomas, Peter Tyack, Els Vermeulen and Bernd Wursig
for their kindness to provide us with information on other groups doing research on bioacoustics,
or facilitating contacts to conduct a more complete survey on professionals working on passive
bioacoustics underwater.
6 Bioacoustic Techniques Applied to Odontocete Conservation and Management…
ment and redeployed of the HARP is expected to be done every year during the
shipboard surveys.
The data already collected and analyzed allowed us to described previously
unknown echolocation signal types, likely produced by two Antarctic beaked whale
species (Trickey et al. 2015), and also killer whale high-frequency whistles which
had not been described before for an Antarctic killer whale ecotype (Reyes Reyes
et al. 2016b). We were also able to estimate seasonal fin whale acoustic activity
around Elephant Island, through the calculation of an acoustic index measured as
the signal to noise ratio at 21 Hz (Baumann-Pickering et al. 2015).
This long-term project (planned for ten consecutive years) involves researchers from
several countries in Latin America as well as researchers from the Scripps Institution of
Oceanography, University of California where all the acoustic equipment was built.
6.6 Final Recommendations
The information shown in the present chapter shows a clear shortage in acoustic
information of cetaceans in Argentina. While with time we have succeeded in
implementing some systematic research in the country, a lot remains to be done.
Within the challenges observed, we note the need of specialized researchers in the
topic. Many have tried to develop research without understanding the basic requirements of an equipment for a particular study, or without knowing how to analyze the
data. Therefore, we recommend to either take courses on bioacoustics and/ or to seek
for advice from experts to use the limited resources in an efficient way.
Another way of overcoming the problem of not knowing which type of equipment to use is to look for available literature proceeding from other areas in which
the target species was studied. That may give us valuable information on potential
recording devices as well as experimental design.
We have found that establishing international collaborations can be extremely
useful when it comes to developing a new research line. Not only did they already
go through the experience of starting up, but may help with equipment, tips and
training of local researchers.
Multidisciplinary work usually enriches the research. Interacting with biologists,
engineers, physicists, vets and technicians, among others, can help us cover more
aspects within the same research project.
Finally, we would like to stress out the importance of collaboration. Particularly
in Latin America, where certain resources are scarce, it is crucial to help each other
to complement our strengths, seek for advice, and help each other.
Acknowledgements We would like to thank Pablo Bordino, Guillermo Caille, Claudio
Campagna, Luis Capozzo, Iris Caceres, Silvana Dans, Cristian de Haro, Natalia Dellabianca,
Diego Rodriguez, Mariano Sironi, Peter Thomas, Peter Tyack, Els Vermeulen and Bernd Wursig
for their kindness to provide us with information on other groups doing research on bioacoustics,
or facilitating contacts to conduct a more complete survey on professionals working on passive
bioacoustics underwater.
6 Bioacoustic Techniques Applied to Odontocete Conservation and Management…