DCH Application for carrying out marine research from Danish naval vessels operating in the North Atlantic

Transcription

1 DCH Application for carrying out marine research from Danish naval vessels operating in the North Atlantic This application form is for carrying out research from Danish Naval vessels operating in the North Atlantic. It should not be used for logistical support and non-intrusive research activities. Logistic support is defined as assistance of cargo freight or personnel transport. Non-intrusive research is defined as activities that potentially can be carried out during normal naval operations free from additional economical expenses or time constraints. These type of request should be made via Note that the more specific the application is with regards to requirements and description of activity the easier it will be for the Join Arctic Command (AKO) to assess and the higher the likelihood of being successful. The scientific content of applications will be evaluated by the DCH board and a prioritized list will be passed on to AKO. AKO will assess the feasibility and opportunities for integration into their activities. Deadline for applications is the same as the regular spring DCH deadline (see DCH webpage). Decision from AKO can be expected in September/October for operations the following year. The application must not exceed two pages (excluding figures or maps). Delete the explanatory text below each subheading. Notes: a) Each participant is expected to have the necessary health and safety documentation required by AKO and cover all costs for travel and housing in conjunction with journey to and from the operation. Small charge per person may be applicable for catering during operation (e.g. on board Naval vessel). 1 Version 2.01

2 1.1 Applicant Malene Simon, PhD, Head of Department Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources PO box 570, Kivioq Nuuk Greenland Tel.: , Mobile: Masi@natur.gl, Tenna Boye, M.Sc., Researcher Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources PO box 570, Kivioq Nuuk Greenland Tel.: Tebo@natur.gl, Description of scientific project Three licenses for oil exploration and exploitation in the western Greenland Sea was granted by the Greenland Government in Knowledge about the area is scarce and little is known about the marine ecology and the biodiversity. Several species of marine mammals are found in the area including the critically endangered bowhead whale but the seasonality and the habitat use of the marine mammals in the area have not been investigated. Based on the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (Boertmann et al. 2012) for the Western Greenland Sea a large environmental study plan has been developed and in 2017 all studies will commence. Present study is part of the environmental study plan and in August 2017 acoustic recorders will be moored to the seabed at positions covering the entire license area and will be recording until fall The method is called passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and the recorders are used to detect vocalising marine mammals which are identified by their species specific calls. This will provide knowledge on the species composition, their seasonality and to some extent their use of the area. Also, ambient noise levels are recorded to provide a baseline of the present circumstances in the area. This is used as a reference for comparison in the event of future anthropogenic activity in the area. However, as this PAM study is the only study depended on going back to the license area the main objective here is to apply for assistance by JACO to retrieve the moorings in fall A maximum of four moorings are to be retrieved (See tentative positions in map attached). 2 Version 2.01

3 1.3 Data requirements from vessel None 1.4 Requested facilities required on board There will be one or two researchers participating in the survey and health and safety requirements are fulfilled. To lift the moorings out of the water a crane is needed and a work space around it of approximately 10 m 2. Each mooring out of the water weighs a maximum of 150 kg dry weight but the crane should be able to lift up to 1 ton. A single mooring consists of a dynema line with a 70cm (diameter) steel subsurface float, two acoustic recorders, smaller sub surface floats, an iridium beacon and an acoustic releaser (see example in figure). A single mooring takes up approx. 1.5m 2 deck space and a maximum of 6 m 2 deck space is needed to store all retrieved moorings. Power is needed for a deck box to communicate with and release the moorings and for a computer when downloading the data. 1.5 Geographical area The acoustic recorders will be moored in the Western Greenland Sea in August 2017 from R/V Dana. Specific position are not yet available but tentative positions are shown in the map below. Depending on the weather, between three-five ship days are needed to retrieve the four moorings once the ship is within the license area. It takes around one hour to retrieve a mooring once at position but the operation has to be conducted during daylight. All equipment along with research participants are dropped off in Kulusuk or Reykjavik. Permits to operate within the area will be obtained well in advance. 1.6 Preferred periods The preferred period is after mid-august By August 2018, the recorders will have achieved one year of recording within the area which is necessary to gain knowledge on seasonality and ambient noise levels throughout a year. 1.7 Budget request none 3 Version 2.01

4 Map of research area and tentative positions of moorings in the Greenland Sea. 4 Version 2.01

5 5 Version 2.01