Describing new fish sounds from the northeast Pacific: A quantitative approach

In order to identify fish sounds in British Columbia soundscapes, we need catalogues of validated fish sounds from Pacific species. These catalogues will help in comparing validated examples to unknown sounds found in long-term autonomous recordings. In addition, it is important that the sounds be described quantitatively for accurate identification and comparison. Our goal is to contribute to building such catalogues and to fill knowledge gaps in fish acoustic behaviour to support studies on the impact of anthropogenic noise on Pacific fishes. Since distinguishing sound sources in the ocean is extremely difficult, we are collaborating with aquaria, marine science centers and ocean-based aquaculture facilities to monitor, audition and record the acoustic behaviour of captive and semi-captive fish species. To date, we have acquired over 3,000 hours of recordings in these conditions. Sounds that we have already validated include Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), and grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus richardsonii) vocalizations. Here, we will present a description of these newly validated sounds.