Free presentation on Maui’s coral reef soundscapes to be featured at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council April 4 meeting

MA’ALAEA, HI – Ever hear the crackling sounds of snapping shrimp while you snorkeled? Those noises are just part of the rich soundscape of a coral reef — soundscapes that can provide helpful clues about the health of the reef. The public is invited to learn more about what was discovered during an acoustic study of seven Maui reefs at a free presentation by Eden Zang at the Wednesday, April 4 meeting of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.

The meeting will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm at Pacific Whale Foundation’s Discovery Center classrooms at the ocean level of the Ma’alaea Harbor Shops. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
Eden Zang, Managing Director of Oceanwide Science Institute, will explain how passive acoustic monitoring can be utilized to reveal clues about coral reef communities and will share results from a 16 month acoustic study from seven reefs around Maui.

“The soundscape of coral reefs may provide a way to track animal activities and community level structure,” comments Zang. “To do so, it is critical to identify how reef soundscapes are influenced by biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors, and establish how soundscapes change over time and across habitats.”

“We’re excited about the use of acoustic monitoring to gain more information about our local reefs,” says Robin Newbold, co-founder and chair of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. “This promises to be a fascinating presentation for anyone who is interested in Maui’s coral reefs.”

Eden Zang joined Oceanwide Science Institute (OSI) in March 2014 as a Research Specialist and is now OSI’s Managing Director. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, Eden’s focus is on processing and analyzing acoustic data, scientific diving, assisting in the coordination of field efforts, and marine mammal vessel based surveys. She has been involved with projects that involve whales, dolphins, fish, marine invertebrates, and effects of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment.

Zang has a B.A. in Human Communication and participated in University of Hawaii’s Marine Option Program. In addition to OSI, Eden is the Maui Marine Mammal Response Network Assistant for NOAA Fisheries, (contractor with Lynker Technologies, Inc.) and has held various positions with private, state and federal organizations in animal husbandry, scientific diving, and protected resource management.

The meeting will also provide updates about ocean water quality testing and other projects that are underway at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, the host of the meeting. Refreshments will be served. 

Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is a nonprofit organization celebrating its 10th anniversary of working for clean ocean water, healthy coral reefs and abundant native fish for the islands of Maui County. To learn more about Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, visit www.mauireefs.org.

Oceanwide Science Institute (OSI) is a non-profit organization that was founded in April 1998 on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The mission of OSI is to share knowledge through innovation and expertise. To learn more about Oceanwide Science Institute, visit oceanwidescience.org.