Hear the hidden life of Sarasota Bay
The Sarasota Bay Listening Network (SBLN) is a collaborative passive acoustic monitoring program that uses shore-based listening stations to continuously record underwater sounds in the vicinity of the Sarasota Bay estuary in Florida. This collaboration among colleges, universities, industry and community scientists is led by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
Interested in what’s happening in the Bay? Click on the Live Map to listen to the underwater world in real time!
Meet the dolphins of Sarasota Bay
Every dorsal fin is unique. As we identify individuals, each gets a profile — fin, face, family and a history of where it's been detected across the bay. Shown most recently heard first. Meet all the dolphins →
Sounds of Sarasota Bay
Dolphins aren't the only ones making sound underwater — explore who's calling.
Latest across the network
Recent detections from across the network.
Explore the network
Our hydrophone stations across Sarasota Bay — colored dots are recent detections, tap one to listen. Open the full live map →
Our research
The SBLN facilitates non-invasive monitoring of sound-producing animals, including dolphins, manatees, fish and snapping shrimp, and other sources of underwater noise, such as boats. Our research is focused on developing automated tools for individual-based monitoring of dolphin populations, and understanding the dynamic responses of dolphins and other species to disturbances such as red tides and noise from human activities.
The SBLN has a sister passive acoustic monitoring network — the Sarasota Coast Acoustic Network (SCAN) — that detects tagged sharks, rays and other fish along the coast.
Learn more about the research of the SBLN & SCAN →