Recommended metrics for quantifying underwater noise impacts on North Atlantic right whales

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113361
• Publication Date: 2022-01-22T22:40:27Z
• Authors: Emmaline Marotte; Andrew J. Wright; Heather Breeze; Jessica Wingfield; Leanna P. Matthews; Denise Risch; Nathan D. Merchant; David Barclay; Clair Evers; Jack Lawson; Veronique Lesage; Hilary Moors-Murphy; Veronique Nolet; James A. Theriault
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Benchmarking; Canada; 13. Climate action; Whales; Animals; 14. Life underwater; Noise; Atlantic Ocean; 01 natural sciences; Ecosystem

Anthropogenic underwater noise has been identified as a potentially serious stressor for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW). The Government of Canada is undertaking steps to better characterize sources most concern and their associated impacts, but there currently an insufficient understanding which are impacting NARW in Canadian habitat. This knowledge gap together with myriad possible methods metrics quantifying presents confounding challenging problem that risks delaying timely mitigation. study results from 2020 workshop aimed at developing series recommended specifically characterizing types deemed greatest waters. recommendations provide basis more targeted research on impacts set stage effective management protection NARW, potential conservation applications similar species.