Abstract
Anthropogenic low-frequency continuous noise is on the rise in aquatic environments due to increased shipping, resource exploration, and infrastructure development. Tank-based studies using low-frequency continuous noise caused temporary hearing loss and behavioral alterations or masked relevant acoustic signals in some species. Various examples of acoustic communication in fishes reflect the importance of the reception of acoustic signals. Recent results have proven that noise also affects free-ranging fish, but regulating measures and mitigation approaches have not yet been taken. The European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive is currently working on the assessment and monitoring of continuous noise, with focus on vessel noise. A necessary new energy resource such as wind farms, although expanding, is not specifically included. Prevention and mitigation measures, e.g. speed restrictions and technical improvement in vessels, have been discussed but have not been made mandatory to reduce underwater source levels. Current expertise demonstrates that source-level reduction is also reducing impact area and mitigation could be implemented regardless of knowledge gaps.
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This work was funded as part of the SATURN project, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement number 101006443.
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Maurer, N., Schaffeld, T., Siebert, U., Schnitzler, J. (2023). Effects of Low-Frequency Continuous Noise on Fishes. In: Popper, A.N., Sisneros, J., Hawkins, A., Thomsen, F. (eds) The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10417-6_104-1
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