The Impact of Ocean Noise Pollution on Marine Biodiversity

Most marine animals, particularly marine mammals and fish, are very sensitive to sound. Noise can travel long distances underwater, blanketing large areas, and potentially preventing marine animals from hearing their prey or predators, finding their way, or connecting with mates, group members, or their young. Decreased species diversity in whales and dolphins was related to an increase in seismic noise. Naval sonar has killed individuals and perhaps even genetically-isolated local populations of whales. Invertebrates such as lobster, crab, and shrimp, also show noise impacts. Noise has deafened fish, produced dramatically reduced catch rates, caused stress responses, and interfered with fish communication, schooling, and possibly the selection of suitable habitat. Whales have moved from their feeding and breeding grounds, shown stress, and foraged less efficiently due to noise. Noise has been thought to contribute to several whale species’ population declines or lack of recovery. Many (at least 55) marine species have been shown to be impacted by ocean noise pollution to some degree. Thus, marine biodiversity is likely compromised by undersea anthropogenic noise. Noise levels are steadily rising, so ocean noise must be managed both nationally and internationally in a precautionary way before irreversible damage to biodiversity and the marine ecosystem occurs.