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Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operators Course

The Scanning Ocean Sectors Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) course is a one day intensive training course that provides a basic introduction to all aspects of being a PAM operator. The course provides background information on the need for PAM operators and then gives a good grounding in PAM systems, underwater acoustics and noise, the calls that marine mammals make and how to carry out a PAM watch. The course culminates with the students carrying out a real PAM watch while filling in the JNCC forms.

Through the course students are assessed and on conclusion will be awarded a certificate based on these assessments.

A pre-course reading list will be provided and we encourage students to bring their own laptops along to use with the acoustic data.that will be available during the day.

This is a very intensive course which covers all aspects of PAM.

For the UK course only we can provide live acoustic data from a deployed hydrophone to allow students to get familiar with the range of noises and levels that they may encounter.

NEW for 2010. We now include information on ADD's and their use based on the recommendations in the JNCC guidelines.

2010 Training Course Dates

United Kingdom United Kingdom Training Course Dates

Date

Location
January 12th Poole, Dorset
February 22nd Poole, Dorset
March 5th Poole, Dorset
April 16th Poole, Dorset
May 14th Poole, Dorset
July 15th Poole, Dorset
August 12th Poole, Dorset
September 17th Poole, Dorset
October 29th Poole, Dorset

Australia Australian Training Course Dates

Date

Location
January 22nd Hervey Bay, Queensland
April 16th Hervey Bay, Queensland
July 9th Hervey Bay, Queensland
August Dates TBC Prosperpine, Queensland
September Dates TBC Perth, Western Australia
November 19th New South Wales or Queensland

South Africa South African Training Course Dates

Date

Location
March 26th Cape Town, South Africa
November 5th Cape Town, South Africa

 

Become A Passive Acoustic Monitor

You can train in just 1 day to become a Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operator and protect marine mammals across the world.

» Signup for the PAM training course today

 

Training Course Timetable

The PAM course is divided into a number of modules. These can be tailored to suit specific needs for a block booking.

Day Start Time: 0900
Day End Time: 1800

Our standard course is shown below.

  • Welcome, introductions and course aims

  • The history of the interaction between manp-made sound and maribne mammals

  • What the guidelines around the world say about PAM, with particlular emphasis on the three JNCC guidelines

  • An introduction to underwater acoustics

  • The characteristics of underwater noise

  • Building blocks of a PAM system and PAM displays

  • An introduction to animal acoustics and call recognition

  • How to operate a PAM watch

  • Students will carry out a real PAM watch while filling in the suite of JNCC forms

  • An introduction to Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADD) and their use

  • The future of PAM systems

  • Course conclusion

Please note that as new information on PAM systems becomes available we reserve the right to update and alter these modules in order to ensure the course teaches the best available practice.

Every student attending the course will receive a set of course notes, a reading list and a certificate. They will also get access to the student's pages on the SoS website with post-course support.

 

Accommodation

If you require advice on the best accommodation in the area then please view our accommodation suggests.

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