Acoustic Library
About the Collection
The Ocean Alliance Whale Acoustic Library contains decades of unique marine bioacoustic recordings collected between 1953 and 1997 through scientific research and conservation efforts. As one of the world’s largest historical collections of whale vocalizations, these recordings represent an irreplaceable record of marine life and continue to support research, education, conservation, and innovation.
Ocean Alliance’s mission is to preserve, digitize, protect, and responsibly share this collection while ensuring its long-term accessibility for future generations. Access is provided to applicants whose proposed use aligns with these goals. Ocean Alliance also welcomes collaborators who are interested in helping sustain the archive through funding or other contributions. While such support is greatly appreciated, it is not required for access consideration.
A curated selection of humpback whale recordings from the Ocean Alliance Whale Acoustic Library is available on our SoundCloud channel (https://soundcloud.com/oceanalliance) for public listening. These recordings represent the primary set of materials we have available for general use. Availability on SoundCloud does not grant permission to download, reproduce, redistribute, publish, or otherwise use the recordings beyond streaming.
Any use of these recordings including for research, education, media production, publications, commercial projects, or any other purpose requires prior express written permission from Ocean Alliance. In addition, users must sign an Ocean Alliance Data Use & Media Agreement before access to original audio files or any authorized use will be granted.
If your request involves recordings that are not available through our SoundCloud collection or if you require archival recordings, high-resolution audio files, metadata, or other materials not publicly available please clearly identify the recordings you are seeking and describe their intended use in your application.
Important
All recordings in the Ocean Alliance Whale Acoustic Library are protected and may not be accessed, copied, reproduced, distributed, published, incorporated into derivative works, or otherwise used without the Express written permission of Ocean Alliance. Approved applicants are required to sign an Ocean Alliance Data Use and Media Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions governing access to and use of the collection. Unauthorized use of these recordings is strictly prohibited.
Please note that Ocean Alliance charges a small handling fee to all applicants looking for access to our acoustic database. This handling fee covers Ocean Alliance staff time as we work with applicants to get them the recordings they need and sign media release forms, etc.
Ocean Alliance charges all commercial applicants a licensing fee for us of our recordings. The amount is determined by a number of factors including how the applicant plans on using the recording, the actual recording itself, how many seconds/minutes of recording the applicant hopes to use and more.
What Happens Next?
After your application has been reviewed, you will be notified by email of our decision. If your request is approved, you will receive the Ocean Alliance Data Use and Media Agreement for review and signature. Once the signed agreement has been returned, we will provide access to the approved recordings and any associated materials via email.
As a condition of use, all recordings incorporated into research, educational resources, publications, presentations, media productions, software, websites, exhibits, or other derivative works must include appropriate credit to Ocean Alliance and Whale.org. Recommended attribution language will be provided with your approval materials.
Ocean Alliance enjoys learning how these recordings contribute to new discoveries and creative projects. While not required, Ocean Alliance encourages you to share project updates, publications, presentations, films, educational resources, or other outcomes resulting from your use of the collection. Ocean Alliance loves seeing and hearing how these historic recordings continue to inspire research, conservation, education, and storytelling. Ocean Alliance welcomes opportunities to share your work with the team and community.
Thank you for helping Ocean Alliance preserve, protect, and responsibly steward this unique archive for future generations.
Please complete the following application to help Ocean Alliance evaluate your request for access. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval or access to the requested materials.