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Barkaszi MJ, Kelly CJ. Analysis of protected species observer data: Strengths, weaknesses, and application in the assessment of marine mammal responses to seismic surveys in the northern Gulf of Mexico 2002-2015. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300658. [PMID: 38512955 PMCID: PMC10956755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual observation data collected by protected species observers (PSOs) is required per regulations stipulated in Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and geophysical survey Permits (Form BOEM-0328) issued to seismic operators in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Here, data collected by certified and trained PSOs during seismic surveys conducted between 2002-2015 were compiled and analyzed to assess utility in assessing marine mammal responses to seismic noise and effectiveness of required mitigation measures. A total of 3,886 agency-required bi-weekly PSO Effort and Sightings reports were analyzed comprising 598,319 hours of PSO visual effort and 15,117 visual sighting records of marine mammals. The observed closest point of approach (CPA) distance was statistically compared across five species groupings for four airgun activity levels (full, minimum source, ramp up, silent). Whale and dolphin detections were significantly farther from airgun array locations during full power operations versus silence, indicating some avoidance response to full-power operations. Dolphin CPA distances were also significantly farther from airguns operating at minimum source than silence. Blackfish were observed significantly farther from the airgun array during ramp up versus both full and minimum source activities. Blackfish were observed significantly closer to the airgun array during silent activities versus at full, minimum source, and ramp up activities. Beaked whales had the largest mean CPA for detection distance compared to all other species groups. Detection distances for beaked whales were not significantly differences between full and silent operations; however, the sample size was very low. Overall results are consistent with other studies indicating that marine mammals may avoid exposure to airgun sounds based on observed distance from the seismic source during specified source activities. There was geographic variability in sighting rates associated with specific areas of interest within the GOM. This study demonstrates that agency required PSO reports provide a robust and useful data set applicable to impact assessments; management, policy and regulatory decision making; and qualitative input for regional scientific, stock assessment and abundance studies. However, several improvements in content and consistency would facilitate finer-scale analysis of some topics (e.g., effort associated with specific activities, observer biases, sound field estimation) and support statistical comparisons that could provide further insight into marine mammal responses and mitigation efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Barkaszi
- CSA Ocean Sciences Inc., Okeechobee, FL, United States of America
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2
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Dunlop R. Use of a behavioural response method to assess the risk of collision between migrating humpback whales and vessels. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115986. [PMID: 38237249 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
With the substantial increase in many large whale populations, paired with the rise in global shipping and recreational vessel activity, it is not surprising that negative interactions between whales and vessels are increasing. Here, the collision risk between migrating groups of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and vessels was assessed by determining if changes in their movement trajectories in response to an oncoming vessel translated to vessel avoidance. It was assumed groups would implement an escape response strategy, using cues such as the vessel speed, trajectory, proximity, and received level of noise to inform their response magnitude. However, many groups were unresponsive to an approaching vessel such that the vessel had to take evasive action. This study shows that humpback whales are not likely to take sufficient avoidance action when there is a potential for a vessel and whale to collide. Therefore, when developing a risk management strategy, mitigation measures that reduce the encounter rate between whales and vessels are likely to be the most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Dunlop
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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3
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Frankish CK, von Benda-Beckmann AM, Teilmann J, Tougaard J, Dietz R, Sveegaard S, Binnerts B, de Jong CAF, Nabe-Nielsen J. Ship noise causes tagged harbour porpoises to change direction or dive deeper. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115755. [PMID: 37976591 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Shipping is the most pervasive source of marine noise pollution globally, yet its impact on sensitive fauna remains unclear. We tracked 10 harbour porpoises for 5-10 days to determine exposure and behavioural reactions to modelled broadband noise (10 Hz-20 kHz, VHF-weighted) from individual ships monitored by AIS. Porpoises spent a third of their time experiencing ship noise above ambient, to which they regularly reacted by moving away during daytime and diving deeper during night. However, even ships >2 km away (noise levels of 93 ± 14 dB re 1 μPa2) caused animals to react 5-9 % of the time (∼18.6 ships/day). Ships can thus influence the behaviour and habitat use of cetaceans over long distances, with worrying implications for fitness in coastal areas where anthropogenic noise from dense ship traffic repeatedly disrupt their natural behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin K Frankish
- Marine Mammal Research Section, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Alexander M von Benda-Beckmann
- Acoustics and Sonar Research Group, Netherlands Organization for Applied and Scientific Research (TNO), The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Jonas Teilmann
- Marine Mammal Research Section, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jakob Tougaard
- Marine Mammal Research Section, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Marine Mammal Research Section, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Signe Sveegaard
- Marine Mammal Research Section, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bas Binnerts
- Acoustics and Sonar Research Group, Netherlands Organization for Applied and Scientific Research (TNO), The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Christ A F de Jong
- Acoustics and Sonar Research Group, Netherlands Organization for Applied and Scientific Research (TNO), The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Jacob Nabe-Nielsen
- Marine Mammal Research Section, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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4
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Barlow DR, Estrada Jorge M, Klinck H, Torres LG. Shaken, not stirred: blue whales show no acoustic response to earthquake events. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220242. [PMID: 35845856 PMCID: PMC9277279 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying how animals respond to disturbance events bears relevance for understanding consequences to population health. We investigate whether blue whales respond acoustically to naturally occurring episodic noise by examining calling before and after earthquakes (27 040 calls, 32 earthquakes; 27 January-29 June 2016). Two vocalization types were evaluated: New Zealand blue whale song and downswept vocalizations ('D calls'). Blue whales did not alter the number of D calls, D call received level or song intensity following earthquakes (paired t-tests, p > 0.7 for all). Linear models accounting for earthquake strength and proximity revealed significant relationships between change in calling activity surrounding earthquakes and prior calling activity (D calls: R 2 = 0.277, p < 0.0001; song: R 2 = 0.080, p = 0.028); however, these same relationships were true for 'null' periods without earthquakes (D calls: R 2 = 0.262, p < 0.0001; song: R 2 = 0.149, p = 0.0002), indicating that the pattern is driven by blue whale calling context regardless of earthquake presence. Our findings that blue whales do not respond to episodic natural noise provide context for interpreting documented acoustic responses to anthropogenic noise sources, including shipping traffic and petroleum development, indicating that they potentially evolved tolerance for natural noise sources but not novel noise from anthropogenic origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn R. Barlow
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
| | - Mateo Estrada Jorge
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Holger Klinck
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
| | - Leigh G. Torres
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
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5
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Pirotta E, Thomas L, Costa DP, Hall AJ, Harris CM, Harwood J, Kraus SD, Miller PJO, Moore MJ, Photopoulou T, Rolland RM, Schwacke L, Simmons SE, Southall BL, Tyack PL. Understanding the combined effects of multiple stressors: A new perspective on a longstanding challenge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153322. [PMID: 35074373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife populations and their habitats are exposed to an expanding diversity and intensity of stressors caused by human activities, within the broader context of natural processes and increasing pressure from climate change. Estimating how these multiple stressors affect individuals, populations, and ecosystems is thus of growing importance. However, their combined effects often cannot be predicted reliably from the individual effects of each stressor, and we lack the mechanistic understanding and analytical tools to predict their joint outcomes. We review the science of multiple stressors and present a conceptual framework that captures and reconciles the variety of existing approaches for assessing combined effects. Specifically, we show that all approaches lie along a spectrum, reflecting increasing assumptions about the mechanisms that regulate the action of single stressors and their combined effects. An emphasis on mechanisms improves analytical precision and predictive power but could introduce bias if the underlying assumptions are incorrect. A purely empirical approach has less risk of bias but requires adequate data on the effects of the full range of anticipated combinations of stressor types and magnitudes. We illustrate how this spectrum can be formalised into specific analytical methods, using an example of North Atlantic right whales feeding on limited prey resources while simultaneously being affected by entanglement in fishing gear. In practice, case-specific management needs and data availability will guide the exploration of the stressor combinations of interest and the selection of a suitable trade-off between precision and bias. We argue that the primary goal for adaptive management should be to identify the most practical and effective ways to remove or reduce specific combinations of stressors, bringing the risk of adverse impacts on populations and ecosystems below acceptable thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Catriona M Harris
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - John Harwood
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Scott D Kraus
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Michael J Moore
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Theoni Photopoulou
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Rosalind M Rolland
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Lori Schwacke
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, Johns Island, SC, USA.
| | | | - Brandon L Southall
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Southall Environmental Associates, Inc., Aptos, CA, USA.
| | - Peter L Tyack
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
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6
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McHuron EA, Aerts L, Gailey G, Sychenko O, Costa DP, Mangel M, Schwarz LK. Predicting the population consequences of acoustic disturbance, with application to an endangered gray whale population. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02440. [PMID: 34374143 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic disturbance is a growing conservation concern for wildlife populations because it can elicit physiological and behavioral responses that can have cascading impacts on population dynamics. State-dependent behavioral and life history models implemented via Stochastic Dynamic Programming (SDP) provide a natural framework for quantifying biologically meaningful population changes resulting from disturbance by linking environment, physiology, and metrics of fitness. We developed an SDP model using the endangered western gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) as a case study because they experience acoustic disturbance on their summer foraging grounds. We modeled the behavior and physiological dynamics of pregnant females as they arrived on the feeding grounds and predicted the probability of female and offspring survival, with and without acoustic disturbance and in the presence/absence of high prey availability. Upon arrival in mid-May, pregnant females initially exhibited relatively random behavior before they transitioned to intensive feeding that resulted in continual fat mass gain until departure. This shift in behavior co-occurred with a change in spatial distribution; early in the season, whales were more equally distributed among foraging areas with moderate to high energy availability, whereas by mid-July whales transitioned to predominate use of the location that had the highest energy availability. Exclusion from energy-rich offshore areas led to reproductive failure and in extreme cases, mortality of adult females that had lasting impacts on population dynamics. Simulated disturbances in nearshore foraging areas had little to no impact on female survival or reproductive success at the population level. At the individual level, the impact of disturbance was unequally distributed across females of different lengths, both with respect to the number of times an individual was disturbed and the impact of disturbance on vital rates. Our results highlight the susceptibility of large capital breeders to reductions in prey availability, and indicate that who, where, and when individuals are disturbed are likely to be important considerations when assessing the impacts of acoustic activities. This model provides a framework to inform planned acoustic disturbances and assess the effectiveness of mitigation strategies for large capital breeders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A McHuron
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | | | - Glenn Gailey
- Cetacean EcoSystem Research, Lacey, Washington, 98516, USA
| | - Olga Sychenko
- Cetacean EcoSystem Research, Lacey, Washington, 98516, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Marc Mangel
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
- Theoretical Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, 9020, Norway
- Puget Sound Institute, University of Washington, Tacoma, Washington, 98402, USA
| | - Lisa K Schwarz
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
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7
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Boat Noise and Black Drum Vocalizations in Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon (Argentina). JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human-generated underwater noise and its effect on marine biota is recognized as an important issue. Boat noise can affect the communication success of fish species that use sounds for spawning purposes. During the reproductive period, males of the black drum Pogonias spp. produce calls ranging from 90 Hz to 300 Hz. In the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Pogonias courbina is one of the primary fishing species. Although no regulation is directly applied to protect it, a ban protects the reproductive period of other fish species during weekdays. Here, we investigated the potential effect of boat noise on P. courbina vocalizations through a passive acoustic method. Acoustic data were collected, and P. courbina calls were identified and counted. The files with boat noise passages were categorized into classes according to their noise frequency range (A = below 700 Hz, B = over 700 Hz, and C = below and above 700 Hz). The fish call rate was lower in files where boat noise overlapped the fish call frequency (Classes A and C). Only boat noise from Class C was significantly reduced during days with the active fishing ban. These results suggest that anthropogenic noise may affect the P. courbina call rate and underline the importance of including the evaluation of anthropogenic noise in the current management of the area.
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8
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A Modeling Comparison of the Potential Effects on Marine Mammals from Sounds Produced by Marine Vibroseis and Air Gun Seismic Sources. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Concerns about the potential environmental impacts of geophysical surveys using air gun sources, coupled with advances in geophysical surveying technology and data processing, are driving research and development of commercially viable alternative technologies such as marine vibroseis (MV). MV systems produce controllable acoustic signals through volume displacement of water using a vibrating plate or shell. MV sources generally produce lower acoustic pressure and reduced bandwidth (spectral content) compared to air gun sources, but to be effective sources for geophysical surveys they typically produce longer duration signals with short inter-signal periods. Few studies have evaluated the potential effects of MV system use on marine fauna. In this desktop study, potential acoustic exposure of marine mammals was estimated for MV and air gun arrays by modeling the source signal, sound propagation, and animal movement in representative survey scenarios. In the scenarios, few marine mammals could be expected to be exposed to potentially injurious sound levels for either source type, but fewer were predicted for MV arrays than air gun arrays. The estimated number of marine mammals exposed to sound levels associated with behavioral disturbance depended on the selection of evaluation criteria. More behavioral disturbance was predicted for MV arrays compared to air gun arrays using a single threshold sound pressure level (SPL), while the opposite result was found when using frequency-weighted sound fields and a multiple-step, probabilistic, threshold function.
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9
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Dunlop RA, McCauley RD, Noad MJ. Ships and air guns reduce social interactions in humpback whales at greater ranges than other behavioral impacts. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 154:111072. [PMID: 32319903 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the interactions between human activity in the ocean and marine mammals is a fundamental step to developing responsible mitigation measures and informing policy. Here, the response of migrating humpback whales to vessels towing seismic air gun arrays (on or off) was quantified as a reduction in their likelihood of socially interacting (joining together). Groups were significantly less likely to participate in a joining interaction in the presence of a vessel, regardless of whether or not the air guns were active. This reduction was especially pronounced in groups within a social environment that favored joining, that is, when singing whales or other groups were nearby. Seismic survey mitigation practices are designed primarily to prevent damage to whales' hearing from close-by sources. Here, we found potentially detrimental behavioral changes at much greater ranges, and much lower received levels, than those used for current mitigation recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Dunlop
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia.
| | - Robert D McCauley
- Centre Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth 6845, WA, Australia
| | - Michael J Noad
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
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10
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Merchant ND, Andersson MH, Box T, Le Courtois F, Cronin D, Holdsworth N, Kinneging N, Mendes S, Merck T, Mouat J, Norro AMJ, Ollivier B, Pinto C, Stamp P, Tougaard J. Impulsive noise pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: Reported activity during 2015-2017. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 152:110951. [PMID: 32479267 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Underwater noise pollution from impulsive sources (e.g. explosions, seismic airguns, percussive pile driving) can affect marine fauna through mortality, physical injury, auditory damage, physiological stress, acoustic masking, and behavioural responses. Given the potential for large-scale impact on marine ecosystems, some countries are now monitoring impulsive noise activity, coordinated internationally through Regional Seas Conventions. Here, we assess impulsive noise activity in the Northeast Atlantic reported during 2015-2017 to the first international impulsive noise register (INR), established in 2016 under the OSPAR Convention. Seismic airgun surveys were the dominant noise source (67%-83% of annual activity) and declined by 38% during 2015-2017. Reported pile driving activity increased 46%. Explosions and sonar/acoustic deterrent devices both had overall increases in reported activity. Some increases were attributable to more comprehensive reporting in later years. We discuss utilising the INR for risk assessment, target setting, and forward planning, and the implementation of similar systems in other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Merchant
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft, UK.
| | | | - Tetrienne Box
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Aberdeen, UK
| | - Florent Le Courtois
- Service hydrographique et océanographique de la Marine (SHOM), Brest, France
| | - Dónal Cronin
- Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Cork, Ireland
| | - Neil Holdsworth
- International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sónia Mendes
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Aberdeen, UK
| | - Thomas Merck
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Putbus, Germany
| | | | - Alain M J Norro
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Ollivier
- Service hydrographique et océanographique de la Marine (SHOM), Brest, France
| | - Carlos Pinto
- International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), Copenhagen, Denmark
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11
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Elliott BW, Read AJ, Godley BJ, Nelms SE, Nowacek DP. Critical information gaps remain in understanding impacts of industrial seismic surveys on marine vertebrates. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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12
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Graham IM, Merchant ND, Farcas A, Barton TR, Cheney B, Bono S, Thompson PM. Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:190335. [PMID: 31312495 PMCID: PMC6599776 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.190335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Estimating impacts of offshore windfarm construction on marine mammals requires data on displacement in relation to different noise levels and sources. Using echolocation detectors and noise recorders, we investigated harbour porpoise behavioural responses to piling noise during the 10-month foundation installation of a North Sea windfarm. Current UK guidance assumes total displacement within 26 km of pile driving. By contrast, we recorded a 50% probability of response within 7.4 km (95% CI = 5.7-9.4) at the first location piled, decreasing to 1.3 km (95% CI = 0.2-2.8) by the final location; representing 28% (95% CI = 21-35) and 18% (95% CI = 13-23) displacement of individuals within 26 km. Distance proved as good a predictor of responses as audiogram-weighted received levels, presenting a more practicable variable for environmental assessments. Critically, acoustic deterrent device (ADD) use and vessel activity increased response levels. Policy and management to minimize impacts of renewables on cetaceans have concentrated on pile-driving noise. Our results highlight the need to consider trade-offs between efforts to reduce far-field behavioural disturbance and near-field injury through ADD use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isla M. Graham
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, George Street, Cromarty, Ross-shire IV11 8YL, UK
| | - Nathan D. Merchant
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Adrian Farcas
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Tim R. Barton
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, George Street, Cromarty, Ross-shire IV11 8YL, UK
| | - Barbara Cheney
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, George Street, Cromarty, Ross-shire IV11 8YL, UK
| | - Saliza Bono
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, George Street, Cromarty, Ross-shire IV11 8YL, UK
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, George Street, Cromarty, Ross-shire IV11 8YL, UK
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13
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Dunlop RA, Noad MJ, McCauley RD, Kniest E, Slade R, Paton D, Cato DH. A behavioural dose-response model for migrating humpback whales and seismic air gun noise. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 133:506-516. [PMID: 30041344 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The behavioural responses of migrating humpback whales to an air gun, a small clustered seismic array and a commercial array were used to develop a dose-response model, accounting for the presence of the vessel, array towpath relative to the migration and social and environmental parameters. Whale groups were more likely to show an avoidance response (increasing their distance from the source) when the received sound exposure level was over 130 dB re 1 μPa2·s and they were within 4 km of the source. The 50% probability of response occurred where received levels were 150-155 dB re 1 μPa2·s and they were within 2.5 km of the source. A small number of whales moving rapidly close to the source vessel did not exhibit an avoidance response at the highest received levels (160-170 dB re 1 μPa2·s) meaning it was not possible to estimate the maximum response threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Dunlop
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia.
| | - Michael J Noad
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
| | | | - Eric Kniest
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Robert Slade
- Blue Planet Marine, P.O. Box 919, Canberra ACT 2614, Australia
| | - David Paton
- Blue Planet Marine, P.O. Box 919, Canberra ACT 2614, Australia
| | - Douglas H Cato
- School of Geosciences, University of Sydney and Defence Science and Technology Group, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Dunlop RA, Noad MJ, McCauley RD, Kniest E, Slade R, Paton D, Cato DH. The behavioural response of migrating humpback whales to a full seismic airgun array. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.1901. [PMID: 29237853 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite concerns on the effects of noise from seismic survey airguns on marine organisms, there remains uncertainty as to the biological significance of any response. This study quantifies and interprets the response of migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to a 3130 in3 (51.3l) commercial airgun array. We compare the behavioural responses to active trials (array operational; n = 34 whale groups), with responses to control trials (source vessel towing the array while silent; n = 33) and baseline studies of normal behaviour in the absence of the vessel (n = 85). No abnormal behaviours were recorded during the trials. However, in response to the active seismic array and the controls, the whales displayed changes in behaviour. Changes in respiration rate were of a similar magnitude to changes in baseline groups being joined by other animals suggesting any change group energetics was within their behavioural repertoire. However, the reduced progression southwards in response to the active treatments, for some cohorts, was below typical migratory speeds. This response was more likely to occur within 4 km from the array at received levels over 135 dB re 1 µPa2s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Dunlop
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - Michael J Noad
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - Robert D McCauley
- Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia
| | - Eric Kniest
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Robert Slade
- Blue Planet Marine, PO Box 919, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2614, Australia
| | - David Paton
- Blue Planet Marine, PO Box 919, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2614, Australia
| | - Douglas H Cato
- School of Geosciences, University of Sydney and Defence Science and Technology Group, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Faulkner RC, Farcas A, Merchant ND. Guiding principles for assessing the impact of underwater noise. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrian Farcas
- Noise & Bioacoustics Team Cefas Lowestoft Suffolk UK
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Knight K. Humpbacks disturbed within 3 km of noise. J Exp Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.167361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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