Impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine life: Publication patterns, new discoveries, and future directions in research and management

Williams, Rob; Wright, Andrew; Ashe, Erin; Blight, Louise K.; Bruintjes, Rick; Canessa, Rosaline; Clark, Christopher W.; Cullis-Suzuki, Sarika; Dakin, D. Tom; Erbe, Christine; Hammond, Philip S.; Merchant, Nathan D.; O’Hara, Patrick D.; Purser, Julia; Radford, Andrew N.; Simpson, Stephen D.; Thomas, Len; Wale, Matthew A.

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.05.021

Cited by 267 publications

(143 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The subject of marine anthropogenic noise is a rapidly developing area of scientific research as evidenced in a recent publication by Williams et al (2015b). This paper identifies 10 priority research questions that relate to marine noise, mammals and vessels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We empathize here that this search is bibliometric in nature and not an exhaustive review, and that our search terms come exclusively from key questions identified in the horizon scan exercise. For a more fulsome review of the scientific literature on marine noise pollution we refer the reader to Williams et al (2015b). Searches involving variable combinations of the search terms noted previously, resulted in a total of 84 uniquely identified scientific journal papers that were further assessed for relevancy.…”

Section: Priority Ranking Consistency With Current Scientific Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The recognition of marine anthropogenic noise as a pollutant is comparatively new (Williams et al, 2015b). Indeed, it is only in the last few decades that marine noise, as a source of disturbance to marine life, has become a recognized field of study (OSPAR Commission Report, 2009;Simmonds et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introduction the Emerging Issue Of Chronic Noise Pollution Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Grand Challenges in Researching Marine Noise Pollution from Vessels: A Horizon Scan for 2017

et al. 2017

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Chronic anthropogenic underwater noise, such as vessel noise, is now recognized as a world-wide problem. Marine noise from vessels, ranging from super tankers to small motorboats is increasingly recognized as being both a persistent and pervasive pollutant. Furthermore, due to its spatial and temporal variability, vessel noise pollution represents a particular challenge for marine conservation, management, and planning. This paper presents the outputs of a horizon scanning exercise that brought together a group of 40 individuals from across Canada, including: researchers, policy makers, NGOs and other end-users who work in the field of marine acoustics. The goal was to identify priority information needs, related to marine vessel acoustics, to inform new research and address policy needs. Via an iterative Delphi style process, participants identified 10 priority research questions related to marine vessel acoustic science; for example, How important is it to identify and maintain acoustic refugia? What attributes of marine vessels are the most effective indicators of marine noise? The questions were then further considered in terms of extent of current knowledge, time scale by which they can be achieved, the financial resources required and the importance of answering the question. Subsequently, the authors conducted a search of the peer-reviewed literature to situate the challenges highlighted by the horizon scanning exercise within the broader global research. Results show that investigating the attributes of marine vessels that are the most effective indicators of marine noise is a viable research question to tackle first. In addition, underpinning many of these questions is the need of long-term data collection and monitoring of both vessel traffic and marine mammal populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Priority Ranking Consistency With Current Scientific Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction the Emerging Issue Of Chronic Noise Pollution Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Grand Challenges in Researching Marine Noise Pollution from Vessels: A Horizon Scan for 2017

et al. 2017

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“…Although research on noise levels and the impacts on marine life have been increasing over recent years (Williams et al, 2015), most studies have focused on whales' feeding grounds and coastal continental areas (Parks et al, 2010;Dunlop, 2016) with fewer studies on open ocean waters (Dziak et al, 2015;Bittencourt et al, 2016). In the central Atlantic area, only one measurement has been made north of the Azores archipelago and only one study has been published documenting airgun seismic noise in mid-Atlantic waters .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underwater Ambient Noise in a Baleen Whale Migratory Habitat Off the Azores

et al. 2017

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Assessment of underwater noise is of particular interest given the increase in noise-generating human activities and the potential negative effects on marine mammals which depend on sound for many vital processes. The Azores archipelago is an important migratory and feeding habitat for blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) en route to summering grounds in northern Atlantic waters. High levels of low frequency noise in this area could displace whales or interfere with foraging behavior, impacting energy intake during a critical stage of their annual cycle. In this study, bottom-mounted Ecological Acoustic Recorders were deployed at three Azorean seamounts (Condor, Açores, and Gigante) to measure temporal variations in background noise levels and ship noise in the 18-1,000 Hz frequency band, used by baleen whales to emit and receive sounds. Monthly average noise levels ranged from 90.3 dB re 1 µPa (Açores seamount) to 103.1 dB re 1 µPa (Condor seamount) and local ship noise was present up to 13% of the recording time in Condor. At this location, average contribution of local boat noise to background noise levels is almost 10 dB higher than wind contribution, which might temporally affect detection ranges for baleen whale calls and difficult communication at long ranges. Given the low time percentatge with noise levels above 120 dB re 1 µPa found here (3.3% at Condor), we woud expect limited behavioral responses to ships from baleen whales. Sound pressure levels measured in the Azores are lower than those reported for the Mediterranean basin and the Strait of Gibraltar. However, the currently unknown effects of baleen whale vocalization masking and the increasing presence of boats at the monitored sites underline the need for continuous monitoring to understand any long-term impacts on whales.

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“…The requirement for these measurements has grown rapidly in recent years in response to growing concerns about the impact of anthropogenic, underwater noise and how it affects different marine animals (Williams et al 2015). Activities such as harbour construction, marine piling for renewables development, Oil & Gas exploration and production, defence, research and many others now regular require noise assessment as part of their Environmental Impact Assessment One example is marine piling; this process releases high levels of acoustic energy into the seabed and water surrounding it (Duncan et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of UAVs as an underwater acoustics sensor deployment platform

Lloyd

Lepper

Pomeroy

2016

International Journal of Remote Sensing

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Evaluation of UAVs as an underwater acoustics sensor deployment platformMarine surveys carried out by passive acoustic monitors conventionally use towed hydrophone arrays, which requires dedicated surface observation boats. This is a costly and slow process, which could be made cheaper and quicker by using unmanned aerial vehicles. Presented in this paper are the initial findings from using unmanned aerial vehicles to capture underwater acoustic signals from an acoustic test tank.

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Impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine life: Publication patterns, new discoveries, and future directions in research and management

Cited by 267 publications

References 41 publications

The Grand Challenges in Researching Marine Noise Pollution from Vessels: A Horizon Scan for 2017

The Grand Challenges in Researching Marine Noise Pollution from Vessels: A Horizon Scan for 2017

Underwater Ambient Noise in a Baleen Whale Migratory Habitat Off the Azores

Evaluation of UAVs as an underwater acoustics sensor deployment platform

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