LAUSR

We have conducted several studies of haddock sounds in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) with mixed results. An analysis of an archival recording from captive haddock brood stock made in 1970 found that the “spawning rumble” sound occurred variously at the end of short thump trains, in the middle of thump trains, or in isolation. Interestingly, haddock were silent while spawning when we attempted to record sounds in the same facility in March 2000, suggesting that sound production may be negatively affected by chronic noise. Haddock sounds were absent in ROV and tethered instrument surveys in the summer and fall of 2001-2002. During 2006-2007, we deployed bottom mounted recorders while conducting long-line surveys of haddock spawning condition. Surprisingly few haddock sounds were detected and there was no correlation with spawning activity despite recording in highly active spawning areas. Haddock sounds consisted of isolated knocks, which were difficult to distinguish from thumps of unknown origin. We are now app...