Is sound production by deep sea fishes widespread?

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Many fishes use sound for communication. Sound as a mode of communication in a dark environment may be particularly important in deep-sea fishes because it can travel long distances and is directional. We contend that the role of the underwater soundscape and the importance of biological sound production to deep sea ecosystems are critically in need of study because the deep sea soundscape is particularly vulnerable to increasing anthropogenic noise while at the same time the ecosystem is being subjected to increasing pressures from resource users. That sound production likely plays an important role in the ecology of deep sea fishes was suggested over 50 years ago by Nelson Marshall who examined the anatomy of many groups of deep sea fishes and found sound producing organs to be present in a wide range of fishes. Yet to date his hypothesis of widespread sound production in deep-sea fishes has not been tested. Our study proposes to formally test the hypothesis by conducting the first passive acoustics survey focused on deep-sea fish sound production. We will deploy hydrophones using VENUS and NEPTUNE, cabled seafloor observing systems connected to shore via fiber optic cables, to collect deep-sea fish sounds. Combining passive acoustic instruments with other observation modalities such as underwater video and active acoustics can provide valuable additional information on sound source identity, behavior, and habitat characteristics.