Underwater Acoustic Monitoring Solution Using icListen Hydrophone

Protecting marine environments, maintaining biodiversity, and monitoring marine species have become urgent global imperatives. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) require precise, reliable, and real-time monitoring solutions to effectively manage and mitigate human-induced impacts.

Reecotech introduces the intelligent digital hydrophone icListen — a state-of-the-art underwater acoustic monitoring solution designed to support marine species conservation and enable high-standard marine scientific research.

What is a hydrophone?

A hydrophone is a specialized microphone designed to operate underwater, capturing acoustic signals as they propagate through water. While conventional microphones record sounds in air, hydrophones detect variations in acoustic pressure in liquid environments and convert them into electrical signals. These devices play a crucial role in underwater acoustics and are essential in fields such as marine biology and naval defense.

Hydrophones are capable of detecting an extensive range of frequencies — from the deep, low-frequency sounds of seismic activities to the high-frequency “clicks” used by dolphins for echolocation. Their ability to operate reliably in high-pressure, corrosive marine environments makes them indispensable tools in oceanographic research.

Application solution for MPA management

Marine Protected Areas are critical for preserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and minimizing the impacts of exploitation activities. Acoustic monitoring systems play a central role in enhancing real-time situational awareness — a key factor in effective conservation management and enforcement.

The icListen device is integrated into modern acoustic monitoring systems, working in conjunction with other remote sensing technologies to create a comprehensive solution that enables:

• Marine animal tracking and threat detection: icListen allows for the detection, monitoring, and localization of sound sources over wide ocean areas, providing timely support in preventing intrusions or threats to marine life.
• Real-time data transmission: Acoustic data is collected and transmitted to control centers, allowing managers to make rapid decisions, enforce regulations, and minimize human impacts.

Importantly, icListen enables the “displacement” of anthropogenic activities away from sensitive zones, thereby contributing to the maintenance of ecological health and biodiversity.

=> See also: Wind and Oceanographic LiDAR Systems

Application solution for marine mammal monitoring

Marine mammals (e.g., whales, dolphins) rely heavily on acoustic signals for communication, hunting, and navigation. The icListen solution offers significant advantages for research projects, including:

High reliability and accuracy:

The device employs advanced sensors, a wide dynamic range, and rigorous calibration processes to ensure unparalleled accuracy. Real-time event detection capability enables rapid capture of critical acoustic signals.

Superior data quality:

icListen is equipped with highly sensitive hydroacoustic sensors and a broad frequency range, capable of capturing even the faintest underwater signals, meeting the stringent requirements of scientific research.

Dedicated integrated software:

The accompanying Lucy II software allows for the visualization of data from multiple hydrophones simultaneously, facilitating intuitive analysis and convenient data storage. Additionally, icListen is fully compatible with PAM-Guard — the international standard software for marine mammal monitoring and analysis.

Event detection capability:

icListen is equipped with automatic detection of specific acoustic events, saving researchers time and enabling them to focus on key signals.

With a compact design, advanced sensing technology, reliable data output, and flexible deployment options, icListen represents a comprehensive solution that meets the most demanding requirements for marine mammal monitoring and MPA protection.

The solution provided by Reecotech not only supports effective marine ecosystem protection but also serves high-value scientific research, contributing to sustainable development goals and the preservation of ocean resources for future generations.