Survey

NMFS is pursuing tests of several passive acoustic equipped underwater gliders as part of its Uncrewed Systems Strategic Initiative, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

• NMFS will be carrying out performance testing across glider systems during two 2-week ‘glider rodeos’ planned for the U.S. west coast and Hawaii in 2025-26.

• NMFS-funded testing will include Slocum, Seaglider, OceanScout (Hefring) and SeaExplorer (Alseamar) platforms with DMONS2, WISPR, and Alseamar’s acoustic acquisition systems.

• A pre-designed survey path will provide for resampling of the same area by each glider platform over the 2 week effort. Glider performance and acoustic detection metrics will be measured for each system to enable comparison and inform future glider acquisitions and use by NMFS.