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Developing a Safe, New Approach

As experts in sonar system design, Scientific Solutions in 1998 began to explore how acoustic detection might be used to protect whales and other marine mammal populations. Leaning heavily on the teaming of experts in underwater acoustics and marine biology, we developed an active acoustic approach that safely overcomes the inadequacies of visual identification and passive sonar.

Active sonar uses an underwater device called a transducer to emit a sound wave into the water. The wave then travels outward. If there is an object in the path of the wave, some of the sound energy reflects back to the transducer. The transducer also acts as a receiver that “hears” the reflected wave. Sophisticated computer programs can then use this wave to calculate the distance and bearing to pinpoint the location. In time, we hope to also be able to tell the size and maybe even the species of the marine mammal by looking closely at the characteristics of the reflected wave.

Of course, the concept of using “active sonar” is controversial because of its association with the potentially damaging sonars used to detect submarines and to conduct seismic exploration.

The question is often asked, “How can you use an active sonar to detect whales in order to protect them from an active sonar?” There is a significant difference. Potentially damaging sonars use high-intensity, low-frequency sound waves; in contrast, our sonar uses low-power and high-frequency sound waves.

The acoustic power output of our system is about the same as the heating power of a toaster oven, while that of the potentially dangerous systems is upwards of 25 full-size ovens. The high frequencies we use are generally above the hearing range of most whales, while the lower frequencies used by the Navy and oil and gas producers are generally well within their hearing range. Even if the signal is at the upper range of a whales hearing, they would just hear a little “click” roughly every four seconds.

This approach shows promise as a means of protecting whale populations from man’s seafaring activities. For the first time, we would have a means of detecting whales under any conditions. However, additional research in open water is required to answer two important questions. First, is the sonar capable of detecting whales at reasonable distances? Second, is there information in the reflected signal that can be used to improve the performance of the system? Additionally, the research will also confirm scientific belief that this type of low-power, high-frequency sonar does not cause abnormal behavior in baleen whales. Certainly, we must have this confirmation to claim any success.