Global Ocean Listening Networks: A Framework for Detecting Unknown Marine Megafauna

Earth’s oceans cover more than 70% of the planet yet remain among the least explored ecosystems. While modern marine science has cataloged thousands of species, the vastness and depth of the ocean leave open the possibility that rare or poorly understood large organisms—collectively termed marine megafauna—may remain undetected. This research paper proposes a conceptual framework for a Global Ocean Listening Network (GOLN): a distributed acoustic monitoring system designed to detect biological signals across ocean basins. By combining passive acoustic monitoring, hydrophone arrays, machine learning analysis, environmental DNA sampling, and autonomous underwater vehicles, the framework aims to map the global ocean soundscape and identify anomalous acoustic signatures potentially associated with unknown large marine organisms. Beyond speculative detection of unknown megafauna, such a network would significantly enhance oceanographic research, marine conservation, seismic monitoring, and climate science.