K.C.J. Ho¹

¹MIT Media Lab

Abstract:

Ocean acoustic data from the IMS hydroacoustic (HA) station network can be used to support climate research, and study global trends and characteristics of ocean soundscapes across the world. Meanwhile, assessing anthropogenic marine impact and its relation with ocean soundscapes is gaining traction and appreciation across broad sectors of society. With the objective of proposing linkages between the CTBT and the Sustainable Development Goals, this project investigates how hydroacoustic data can be utilized by audiences to assess the state of health of the oceans, and provide key indicators for the sustainable use of their resources. This will be developed through efforts to build: 1) a technical understanding of how acoustic signatures are isolated and interpreted, 2) strategies to design a data product platform that is also value-driven, 3) an identification of gaps in the current global policy practice related to the assessment of marine ecosystems. The outcome of this project shows how the CTBTO IMS HA network could be leveraged in this context. With special emphasis on SDGs 11, 12, 13 and 14, this work explores critical linkages within and between environment-related SDG goals and targets, and the development of indicators to support their implementation.