Seiche has collaborated with Dr. Outi Tervo of the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and local stakeholders, to install an underwater acoustic observatory (or ‘Listening Station’) in western Greenland.

A hydrophone is cabled ashore to the Listening Station at Qaqqaliaq Lighthouse, near Qeqertarsuaq, Disko Island. This enables researchers to monitor the songs of bowhead whales, which breed in Disko Bay during the winter and spring. Bowhead whales sing elaborate, repetitive songs, probably as a reproductive display, and are known for biphonation or two-voiced vocalisation. Researchers will use passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to gain insights into their seasonal occurrence and activity in the bay.

Qaqqaliaq Lighthouse is remote, unmanned and ice-bound for much of the year, so the hydrophone signal is transmitted from the lighthouse in real-time, via a 4G data link. The underwater soundscape can now be monitored continuously, from any location with internet access. Alongside the bowheads, the fascinating underwater soundscape of in Disko Bay features calving ice bergs, beluga whales and narwhals, fishing boats, and the long trills of male bearded seals.

🎧 Dr. Tervo provides public access to the live audio stream at the Disko Live home page www.diskolive.com – take a listen. An interactive display is under development for visitors to Qaqqaliaq.