In the icy waters of Alaska, the Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) plays a vital role in maintaining the region’s ecosystem. This fish species serves as a crucial prey item for seabirds, marine mammals, and fish, many of which are significant to Inuit communities. However, as the Arctic experiences dramatic environmental changes due to climate change, the distribution, spawning periods, and habitats of the Arctic cod may also be shifting. Understanding these changes is essential for the sustainability of the ecosystem and for making informed fisheries management decisions.

The Problem

Researchers from the University of Victoria and Hatfield Marine Science Center have collected a year’s worth of passive acoustic data from captive Arctic cod to understand their vocalisations better. However, the sheer volume of this dataset has made manual analysis impractical. To uncover the temporal and seasonal patterns in Arctic cod vocalisations, the researchers needed an efficient, automated solution to process and interpret the data.

The Solution

The Deep Voice Foundation has developed an automated detector designed to analyse Arctic cod vocalisations. This innovative tool will allow the researchers to process the extensive acoustic data they have gathered efficiently. By leveraging this technology, they will be able to uncover key insights into the distribution, spawning times, and behaviours of Arctic cod throughout the year.

Impact

The collaboration with Deep Voice has accelerated the research process significantly. By detecting patterns in the Arctic cod’s vocalisations, the researchers have gained invaluable knowledge about the species’ spawning activities and habitat use. This information will inform fisheries management and provide essential data for creating spatial-temporal habitat models. These models are crucial for assessing the risks posed by ship traffic and oil spills, ultimately supporting more effective conservation efforts in Alaska.