Acoustic behavior and diversity of fish calling in the Channel Islands

Many fish species are suspected to produce sound, but the variety of sounds they produce is still largely undocumented. This study investigated the presence and diversity of fish sounds in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Besides regular sounds from three known species-bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis), plainfin midshipman (Porichthys notatus), and white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis)-two unusual sound types were observed that require further analyses and for which the species is still unknown: Unidentified Fish or UF200 and UF450. Sound types had distinct acoustic signatures and varied in diel presence. Monitoring fish sounds is a promising technique for non-invasive monitoring of fish presence with conservation applications.