Tech Talk: How Do Fish Hear?

By John Ohab

If tuna could talk, what secrets would they share?

In this week’s “Tech Talk,” Dr. Mike Traweek of the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Ocean Battlespace Sensing Department will answer questions about how fish detect and interpret sound in the aquatic environment.

If you’ve got questions, Dr. Traweek has the answers! Joining the discussion is as easy as this:

1.) Visit ONR’s official Facebook page

2.) Look for the prompt to submit your questions.

3.) Submit a question. Questions will be answered on a first-come, first-served basis.

4.) Return at 11 a.m., Sept. 29, to watch as he answers questions in real time.

Think about it in human terms: Driving at 30 mph with windows down and air rushing in, would you be able to detect the distance and incoming direction of an ambulance from half-mile away? ONR would like to understand whether fish, like the Atlantic bluefin tuna, can swim at high speeds and still pinpoint sound and its direction over the flow of water along their bodies. If so, imagine the biological science that might be applied to underwater detection and sensing.

Next-generation sensors must be smaller, more affordable and energy efficient. With fewer ships in the ocean today, it’s imperative that naval forces advance their ability to detect acoustic signals from greater distances, whether towed from manned vessels or secured in unmanned undersea vehicles.

Dr. Traweek is a project officer for ONR’s Maritime Sensing Team. He has developed and managed projects ranging from mine countermeasure and anti-submarine warfare future naval capabilities to advanced submarine combat systems development. Traweek’s research portfolio broadly addresses the design and utilization of complex systems supporting undersea warfare.

These interactive 30-minute conversations take place weekly on Wednesdays, leveraging ONR’s presence on Facebook and Twitter to take questions from the general public about our scientific research. More on ONR’s challenge topics (to be featured at the upcoming conference) can be found on the ONR web site at: www.onr.navy.mil/Conference-Event-ONR/science-technology-partnership/2010-CNR-Challenge.aspx.