Delve into the Waves: The Significance of Intense Hearing in Shielding Marine Life
In the vibrant coastal community of Cancun, Mexico, Heather Spence, a marine biology student, found herself intrigued by the management of marine resources and the impacts of human activities on coral reefs during a holiday. This curiosity led to the creation of Ocean World of Sound (WOS), a global, transdisciplinary movement that harnesses the transformative power of sound to protect the ocean.
WOS operates in both Spanish and English, and it is building a replicable model for other coastal communities, particularly in developing nations, to use sound for understanding and safeguarding their marine ecosystems. The initiative combines science, art, and community, aiming to bridge the gap between people and the ocean they depend on.
At the heart of WOS's approach is Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), a non-invasive, cost-effective method of gathering long-term acoustic data essential for ocean research and marine conservation. Using underwater microphones, or hydrophones, WOS captures the ocean's natural rhythms, featuring fish calls, shrimp snaps, the subtle shift of tides, and human-made noise disrupting marine interactions.
This data collection method, known as marine PAM, helps scientists monitor marine life presence and behaviors, track changes in soundscapes linked to human activities, assess ecosystem health and biodiversity, and support conservation by identifying critical habitats or times of heightened biological activity.
Heather Spence's initiative evolved from a challenge faced during her master's degree research—monitoring vast marine areas with minimal resources. Inspired by her lifelong connection to music and the collective clicks of snapping shrimp in coral reefs, Spence developed the idea of using sound to monitor reef health.
Since 2021, WOS has organized 31 events, totaling 152 hours and reaching over 1,700 people. Notable achievements include the creation of a citizen science group in Cancun with participants from Mexico and Paris, a pilot project assessing coral restoration efforts using PAM in the Maldives, and collaborations with the University of Cadiz (INMAR) on a citizen science project using sound data to train machine learning models.
One of WOS's most significant collaborations is with Dr. Jaime González Cano, the director of the local Marine Protected Area (CONANP) in Cancun. González Cano informed Spence about the strained state of coastal communities and their ecosystems, which led to the launch of "Ears in the Caribbean," the first-ever PAM program in the Mesoamerican Reef.
The Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef system in the world, remains vastly under-researched and vulnerable despite supporting the livelihoods of millions. To address this issue, WOS is an endorsed action addressing three Ocean Decade Challenges: 4 - Develop a sustainable, resilient, and equitable ocean economy, 7 - Sustainably expand the Global Ocean Observing System, and 9 - Skills, knowledge, technology, and participation for all.
Individuals can stay updated on WOS science, workshops, and citizen science opportunities by visiting their website. WOS also invites people to participate in the WOS 30 Day Ocean Sound Challenge to strengthen their connection to the ocean and their skills in deep listening.
Santisteban, a member of WOS, emphasizes the accessibility of PAM data, stating that it doesn't require formal education to listen to the ocean. This inclusivity is a testament to WOS's commitment to community-driven conservation, collaborating with local Marine Protected Areas, schools, artists, and cultural leaders.
The GenOcean campaign is an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations, and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities for ocean conservation. WOS is proud to be part of this movement, working towards a sustainable future for our oceans and the communities that depend on them.
- Heather Spence's initiative, Ocean World of Sound (WOS), combines science, art, and community, focusing on the transformative power of sound to protect oceans and marine ecosystems, particularly in developing coastal communities.
- Using Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), a non-invasive method of gathering long-term acoustic data, WOS captures the ocean's natural rhythms to understand and safeguard marine life and ecosystems.
- Education and self-development opportunities are available through WOS, as individuals can stay updated on WOS science, workshops, and citizen science opportunities by visiting their website, and participate in the WOS 30 Day Ocean Sound Challenge to strengthen their connection to the ocean and their skills in deep listening.
- WOS also collaborates with technology partners like the University of Cadiz (INMAR) on projects using sound data to train machine learning models, demonstrating its commitment to data and cloud computing and sustainable living.
- Career development in marine biology and environmental science can be fostered through WOS, as it endorses actions addressing three Ocean Decade Challenges, including developing a sustainable ocean economy, expanding the Global Ocean Observing System, and promoting skills, knowledge, and participation for all.
