Ocean sound | Fish abundance and distribution

Watch the next session of the GOOS BioEco Essential Ocean Variable (EOV) webinar series as we dive into the Ocean Sound and Fish abundance and distribution EOVs.

Sound travels farther in the ocean than light and faster than diffusion of chemicals, making it a powerful medium for observing ecological patterns and human pressures. The Ocean Sound EOV captures data on sound pressure and particle motion to monitor natural processes (e.g., animal vocalisations, storms, earthquakes) and anthropogenic activities (e.g., shipping, pile driving). This webinar will introduce the Ocean Sound EOV draft specification and implementation plan, outlining its core components (what/when/where/how to measure and why it matters). We will also discuss the collaborative governance model and roadmap for operationalising the Ocean Sound EOV.

Monitoring fish abundance and distribution is essential to sustaining marine ecosystems, global food security, and economic stability. Fish play critical roles in maintaining ecological balance as both predators and prey, and accurate, standardised data on their populations and communities are vital for effective management and conservation.

This webinar introduces the draft Fish Abundance and Distribution EOV specification sheet, outlining its core components (what/when/where/how to measure and why it matters). Through this framework, GOOS aims to enhance coordination and data integration across observing systems, enabling consistent and scalable approaches to effectively monitor, report and manage fish populations at regional and global levels.

The GOOS BioEco EOV Webinar Series was co-organised by GOOS, the EU-funded BioEcoOcean project, the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and the Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre).