Fish do not avoid survey vessels

Fernandes, Paul G.; Brierley, Andrew S.; Simmonds, E. John; Millard, N.W.; McPhail, S.D.; Armstrong, Frederick H.; Stevenson, Peter; Squires, Mark

doi:10.1038/35003648

Cited by 108 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The impacts of noise from ships, the most common source of aquatic noise pollution, have been investigated mostly within the framework of population assessments for fisheries in the marine environment, e.g. avoidance reactions (Fernandes et al, 2000;Vabø et al, 2002;Jørgensen et al, 2004). Besides these behavioural effects, few studies have addressed the harmful impacts of this noise source on fishes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, investigators are only just beginning to identify the implications of this negative environmental factor for acoustically communicating species. Anthropogenic noise may affect the behaviour in several taxa, including birds (Slabbekoorn and Peet, 2003), mammals (Myrberg, 1990;Richardson et al, 1995;Lesage et al, 1999;Morton and Symonds, 2002;Gibeau et al, 2002;Rabin et al, 2006), anurans (Sun and Narins, 2005) and fishes (Fernandes et al, 2000), with direct or indirect consequences on their ecology and fitness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of ship noise on the detectability of communication signals in the Lusitanian toadfish

Vasconcelos

Amorim²,

Ladich

2007

Journal of Experimental Biology

211

136

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SUMMARY Underwater noise pollution is an increasing environmental problem which might affect communication, behaviour, fitness and consequently species'survival. The most common anthropogenic noises in aquatic habitats derive from shipping. In the present study we investigated the implications of noise pollution from a ship on the sound detectability, namely of conspecific vocalizations in the Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus. Ambient and ferry-boat noises were recorded in the Tagus River estuary(Portugal), as well as toadfish sounds, and their sound pressure levels determined. Hearing sensitivities were measured under quiet lab conditions and in the presence of these masking noises at levels encountered in the field,using the auditory evoked potentials (AEP) recording technique. The Lusitanian toadfish is a hearing generalist, with best hearing sensitivity at low frequencies between 50 and 200 Hz (below 100 dB re. 1 μPa). Under ambient noise conditions, hearing was only slightly masked at lower frequencies. In the presence of ship noise, auditory thresholds increased considerably, by up to 36 dB, at most frequencies tested. This is mainly because the main energies of ferry-boat noise were within the most sensitive hearing range of this species. Comparisons between masked audiograms and sound spectra of the toadfish's mating and agonistic vocalizations revealed that ship noise decreased the ability to detect conspecific acoustic signals. This study provides the first evidence that fishes' auditory sensitivity can be impaired by ship noise and that acoustic communication, which is essential during agonistic encounters and mate attraction, might be restricted in coastal environments altered by human activity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of ship noise on the detectability of communication signals in the Lusitanian toadfish

Vasconcelos

Amorim²,

Ladich

2007

Journal of Experimental Biology

211

136

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Following the ICES recommendations (Mitson, 1995), modern research vessels exhibit substantial reductions in noise levels compared to previous constructions (Mitson & Knudsen, 2003). Nonetheless, the question whether fish do or "do not avoid survey vessels" (Fernandes et al, 2000) can not yet be decisively addressed, nor its magnitude be quantitatively estimated under all possible sampling conditions. In this context, multibeam sonars are powerful tools for studying fish school reactions to research vessels, fishing gears or predators, due to their large sampling volume and ability for long-range concurrent insonification of multiple schools.…”

Section: Fish Avoidance Reaction To Survey Vesselsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accuracy of Acoustic Methods in Fish Stock Assessment Surveys

Georgakarakos¹,

Trygonis²,

Haralabous³

2011

Sonar Systems

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“…They were first developed with military applications in mind, for example for mine hunting missions. Later on, scientists realized their true potential and started to use them as mobile sensors, taking measurements in difficult scenarios and at a reasonable cost (Bellingham, 1997;Bellingham et al, 1992;Fernandes et al, 2000;Nadis, 1997;Robinson et al, 1999;Yu et al, 2002). MARES (Modular Autonomous Robot for Environment Sampling) AUV has been successfully used to monitor sea outfalls discharges 2011a; (see Fig.…”

Section: Mares Auvmentioning

confidence: 99%