Introduction to Marine Acoustics
NRTG’s MicroCourses provide a flexible and enriching pathway to build your skills and expertise — one focused, practical course at a time. Introduction to Marine Acoustics delivers foundational training in underwater sound in a streamlined, easy-to-digest format designed for immediate, real-world application.
Sound travels differently underwater than it does on land, making acoustics a critical tool for understanding and managing marine environments. From monitoring marine mammals and fish to supporting environmental assessments, mitigation planning, and offshore development projects, marine acoustics plays an increasingly important role in marine science and resource management.
Whether you are an environmental professional, marine resource manager, field technician, consultant, or project planner, this introductory MicroCourse will help you build a practical understanding of how underwater sound is generated, transmitted, measured, and interpreted.
You’ll learn key terminology, core acoustic concepts, and common tools used in marine acoustic monitoring, with a focus on practical applications. No previous background in acoustics, physics, or underwater sound is required.
Through real-world examples and applied exercises, you will learn how acoustic measurements can support marine mammal monitoring, resource planning, hydrophone placement, environmental decision-making, and ocean stewardship.
Format: 2 x 2-hour sessions.
Program Outcomes
- Explain the fundamental principles of sound and acoustic propagation.
- Describe how sound behaves in marine environments and the factors that influence underwater sound transmission.
- Interpret common acoustic terminology, measurements, and units used in marine acoustics.
- Recognize the role of acoustic monitoring systems and their applications in marine environmental management.
- Apply basic acoustic reasoning and transmission loss concepts to real-world marine monitoring scenarios.
Spencer Quimby, BSc. RPBio
Marine Biologist, Independent Consultant
Spencer is a Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio.) with the College of Applied Biology in British Columbia and has a B.Sc. in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University. Spencer grew up in California and has lived and worked in four different provinces in Canada, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Spencer has worked in fisheries and aquaculture as an aquaculture diver, aquaculture site manager, at-sea fisheries observer, and port supervisor/dockside validator. He branched out into consulting in 2019 and has worked on several major infrastructure projects and many smaller ones in coastal areas of mainland B.C. and Vancouver Island.
Spencer has focused on compliance and verification monitoring for marine and riverine construction projects for the past six years. He provides technical expertise in and has thousands of hours of experience with VHF/UHF SONAR, passive acoustic monitoring equipment, water quality sampling and in-situ monitoring, and marine mammal observation. Spencer has experience providing on-the-job training for technicians and environmental monitors in the principles and applications of SONAR, passive acoustics, and marine mammal observation. He started an independent consultancy in 2024 to further his goals as an environmental professional. He continues to expand his knowledge and experience to better support responsible development and promote compliance with environmental regulations and best practices. Spencer greatly enjoys sharing what he has learned over his career with others who are passionate about these subjects and loves helping people reach their professional and personal goals.