A great deal of information related to ocean dynamics can be gained simply by listening to the ambient; this acoustic soundscape is the sum of multiple sound sources that all arrive at a receiving animal or recorder. One technique to investigate soundscapes is passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) which can be applied to study vocal fishes and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. The principal aim of this research was to provide the first descriptive reference of the marine soundscape of Madeira Archipelago, focusing on fish and the Mediterranean monk seal sounds, as a basis for a long-term passive acoustic monitoring program. A total of 101 potential and 36 vocal fish species were identified, and 43 different sound types were identified. Pomacentridae and Scorpaena were proposed as candidates for some sound types. Higher abundance and richness of putative fish sounds were found in Garajau than in Desertas Islands, while lower abundance and richness was generally found in night. Ecoacoustic indices showed no clear associations with fish sound activity and richness. Three sound types of sounds were proposed as putative seal sounds. This study provided a valuable steppingstone for a future noninvasive, cost-effective monitoring programs in Madeira.
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