The western Timor Sea is one of the most remote regions in Australian Exclusive Economic Zone, with comparatively low levels of commercial activity, and with very little information available on the soundscape of the region, and its bioacoustics contributors. Understanding the potential impacts of offshore industries in the region requires a detailed understanding of the existing environment, which includes quantifying species diversity, temporal and spatial habitat use, and inter-annual variability in these parameters. Over a 15-year period, JASCO Applied Sciences has undertaken two baseline passive acoustic monitoring programs. The first involved the deployment of three moorings for a period of 12 months. This was followed 15 years later by a further three-station program, which has been ongoing for 18 months. At least nine marine mammal species or species groups were detected, including EIO blue, humpback, dwarf minke, beaked, false killer, suspected Bryde’s and killer whales, smaller delphinid species, and a diversity of fish species. While both programs provide valuable insights, significantly improved technology in the second program, which used landers with directional capability, allowed for the collection of more nuanced data. Data analysis has characterized the ambient soundscape, directional movements, and absolute minimum numbers of vocalising key baleen whale species and the presence of higher frequency odontocetes such as beaked whales.
McPherson et al. (Wed,) studied this question.