Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 8 • Number 22 • 15th December 2008
Shipping Noise Disrupting Marine Mammals
Discuss this articleShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say
Marine mammals are suffering severe negative consequences due to ever-increasing noise pollution in the seas, according to experts. Among the sources of noise that are being blamed are the rising numbers of marine vessels that carry goods around the globe - as well as the increasing speeds they travel at.
The International Federation of Animal Welfare (IFAW) launched a report highlighting the problem and suggesting solutions at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 9), which took place in Rome from 1-5 December.
According to IFAW, a combination of greater numbers of marine vessels, the increased use of powerful navy sonar, and exploration operations targeting oil and other valuable raw materials are to blame. In addition, global warming has led to increased levels of acidity in water which decreases its ability to absorb noise. More noises causes serious disruptions in the communication patterns between marine mammals, their foraging patterns for food, confuses their sense of orientation, and they more often end
up being struck by ships that they no longer are able to hear.
”Underwater, man-made noise is already triggering a kind of acoustic fog and a cacophony of sounds in many parts of the world’s seas and oceans,” Mark Simmonds, Science Director of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said. “Protecting marine species from ocean noise is critical to their survival. Ocean noise can travel over vast distances and affect marine species across many national sea boundaries,” added Veronica Frank, IFAW Campaign Officer.
Many cetacean populations are already threatened and highly vulnerable to increased environmental pressure resulting from habitat loss, climate change, and intensive fishing operations - which can sometimes inadvertently ensnare marine mammals.
Among corrective measures, IFAW urged nations to consider instituting new rules requiring ship engines to be quieter and to travel at lower speeds.
The main CMS meeting also considered the issue of marine noise pollution and its adverse impact on marine mammals. At the end of the meeting, participants adopted a resolution on marine noise pollution urging caution, and calling for sharing of best practices and further research. Some observers felt that the issue was not taken up forcefully enough due to the major commercial interests involved, as well as sensitive military issues.
Simmonds stressed that “we simply don’t know at this stage how many animals are affected by noise pollution, but the lack of full scientific evidence should not be a reason to delay action.”
Additional information
To access the IFAW report “Ocean Noise - Turn it Down,” visit http://www.ifaw.org/Publications/Regional_Publications/UK/Ocean_Noise_Pubs/asset_upload_file469_48552.pdf
To access the report by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin from the CMS conference, visit http://www.iisd.ca/cms/cop9/
ICTSD reporting; “Man-Made Noise In World’s Seas Threatens Wildlife,” REUTERS, 4 December 2008; “The end of the ’silent sea’,” GLOBE AND MAIL, 13 December 2008.
Add a comment
Enter your details and a comment below, then click Submit Comment. We’ll review and publish the best comments.