June 3, 2025
As part of the ongoing production of the LIFE MareNatura documentary, the MEDASSET team, together with the film’s director Roberto Lo Monaco, joined the Nature Conservation Consultants (NCC) team in Alexandroupolis for a targeted marine mammal survey in the Thracian Gulf.
Over three days at sea, the team carried out visual observations and acoustic surveys to assess species presence, distribution, and behaviour. A central part of this effort was the deployment and retrieval of both towed and fixed hydrophone systems—two complementary methods of passive acoustic monitoring.
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Towed hydrophones are deployed behind a moving vessel and record vocalisations in real time along the survey route.
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Fixed hydrophones are placed on the seafloor or attached to surface buoys and left in position for extended periods—typically around two months—capturing continuous acoustic data across a defined area.
Passive acoustic monitoring is a non-invasive and data-rich approach for studying marine mammals. Due to their frequent vocalisations, cetaceans can be reliably detected through sound, providing valuable insights into species activity patterns and habitat use without physical disturbance.
The mission also highlighted the collaborative nature of LIFE MareNatura. Experts from the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal (MOm) joined the team on board, contributing to the deployment and recovery of the hydrophones and reinforcing the multidisciplinary effort behind marine biodiversity research.
The LIFE MareNatura documentary will help bridge the gap between science and public engagement by making this vital work visible, accessible, and relevant to broader audiences.
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