A new monitoring system could soon be established beneath Greenland’s ocean surface. Researchers aim to use existing fibre-optic cables on the seabed to record the calls of whales and track their movements. In future, the technology could monitor large areas of the ocean without the need to install additional measuring equipment on the seabed.
As announced by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources on 30 September 2026, the Greenland Climate Research Centre and the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) are jointly developing a new method for acoustic monitoring of the oceans. The research project is called FATHOM – Fibre-optic and Acoustic Technology for Hazard and Ocean Monitoring.
The scientists are combining two measurement methods. Conventional underwater microphones, known as hydrophones, record sounds from marine animals and ships. At the same time, short laser light pulses are sent through fibre-optic cables. When sound waves strike the cables, they cause minute deformations. These alter the backscattered laser light, making it possible to detect sounds along the cable.
The use of existing telecommunications cables is particularly promising. In future, they could serve as kilometre-long underwater sensors and provide valuable information from hard-to-reach marine areas.
In addition to whale calls and migration patterns, researchers could also detect ship noise and seismic events. This technology would therefore open up new possibilities for investigating the impact of increasing shipping traffic on Greenland’s marine environment.
The method is still under development. In the long term, however, it could help to better protect whales and detect changes in the Arctic oceans at an early stage.
Rosamaria Kubny / PolarJournal