Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map
June 03, 2021
This mapping tool shows when and where specific whale, dolphin, and other cetacean species were acoustically detected in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map (PACM) shows when and where specific whale, dolphin, and other cetacean species were acoustically detected in the North Atlantic Ocean based on passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). A series of interactive data visualization tools can be used to view detections over different seasons, years, and areas.
Species that are currently represented include the North Atlantic right whale, fin whale, humpback whale, sei whale, blue whale, sperm whale, beaked whale species, and Kogia species (dwarf/pygmy sperm whales).
Acoustic detections were recorded using stationary (bottom-mounted moorings, surface buoys) and mobile (autonomous gliders and towed arrays) platforms. These acoustic detections only represent times when animals are calling; they do not capture time periods when animals are present but silent.