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    • DCLDE 2026: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) ecotype and other species annotations for the Detection Classification Localization and Density Estimate (DCLDE) conference in 2026

    Metadata Updated: April 1, 2025

    Killer whales (Orcinus orca) exhibit significant ecological and genetic diversity, with three primary sympatric ecotypes in the Northeast Pacific: Resident, Bigg’s (Transient), and Offshore. Each ecotype is adapted to distinct ecological niches, with unique foraging strategies, social structures, and vocal behaviors. These differences underscore the challenges in monitoring and conserving each group, as they coexist within overlapping geographic ranges yet do not intermix. This dataset, compiled from diverse sources, provides a comprehensive resource for the detection and classification of killer whale vocalizations. The >225,000 call-level annotations collected from 23 locations, and a cleaned annotation csv that collates annotations across the different protocols. Recordings spanning eleven years from various geographical locations within the Northeast Pacific Ocean, collected using multiple hydrophone systems. It addresses the challenge of differentiating killer whale calls from other marine species and environmental noise and includes specific instances of confounding signals to enhance model robustness. Detailed annotations capture a broad spectrum of vocalizations and associated metadata, facilitating the development of advanced machine learning models for ecological monitoring. This curated dataset aims to improve the accuracy of killer whale detection algorithms, support conservation efforts, and advance our understanding of killer whale acoustic communication across different ecotypes.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Date March 8, 2025
    Metadata Created Date April 1, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date April 1, 2025
    Reference Date(s) March 8, 2025 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NGDC MGG Passive Acoustic

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    Breaching Killer Whale, credit: Lauren Laturnus

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Series
    Metadata Date March 8, 2025
    Metadata Created Date April 1, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date April 1, 2025
    Reference Date(s) March 8, 2025 (publication)
    Responsible Party DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (Point of Contact); (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.ncei.pad:DCLDE_2026_Killer_Whales
    Access Constraints Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose., Cite as: Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2025. DCLDE 2026: Killer whale (Orcinus orca) ecotype and other species annotations for the Detection Classification Localization and Density Estimate (DCLDE) conference in 2026. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/15ey-mh50 [access date]
    Bbox East Long -122.61
    Bbox North Lat 60.31
    Bbox South Lat 47.36
    Bbox West Long -151.85
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded
    Graphic Preview Description Breaching Killer Whale, credit: Lauren Laturnus
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/pad/browse/DCLDE_2026_Killer_whale.jpg
    Graphic Preview Type jpg
    Harvest Object Id d9f3ce1c-6681-4636-a1b7-cb9401ee4532
    Harvest Source Id 8812445c-2f10-47c5-80d9-c1bc92ca956d
    Harvest Source Title NGDC MGG Passive Acoustic
    Licence
    Lineage
    Metadata Language eng; USA
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-151.85, 47.36], [-122.61, 47.36], [-122.61, 60.31], [-151.85, 60.31], [-151.85, 47.36]]]}
    Progress onGoing
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2005-06-17T00:00:00
    Temporal Extent End 2023-08-23T23:59:59

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