NT-23-01: Addressing Key Information Gaps in Acoustic Ecology of North Atlantic Right Whales

Background
In support of the rapid development of offshore wind (OSW) on the Atlantic OCS, the Environmental Studies Program (ESP) has identified a priority need to address knowledge gaps in the acoustic behavior of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales (NARW). This information is vital to the effectiveness of passive acoustic monitoring required for mitigation. This implements BOEM’s Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act mandate to monitor the marine environment adjacent to U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) operations to ensure minimal impacts to the environment and helps ensure responsible development of OCS energy resources.

Grant Details
The overall goal of this cooperative agreement is to observe and describe acoustic behavior of NARW where significant data gaps in call rates exist and convey information about the context in which the acoustic behaviors are observed.
Information will be gathered using digital acoustic recording tags on the relationship between behavioral state and vocalization features and patterns exhibited by tagged animals.
The expertise sought out requires a) synthesis of right whale acoustic data (i.e., tags, PAM, arrays); b) analysis of acoustic occurrence of NARW and oceanographic covariates; c) analysis of range wide acoustic cue rates, including behavioral context where available; d) identification of additional needs vis à vis NARW acoustics; e) field acoustic sampling of NARW, including tagging as well as mobile and moored PAM.

Eligibility Requirements
Single source Cooperative Agreement with Duke University.

Period of Performance
24-month project period with two 12-month budget periods

Grant Value
$850,000 - Maximum Award Amount: $850,000 - Minimum Award Amount: $800,000