Ultrasonic antifouling devices negatively impact Cuvier’s beaked whales near Guadalupe Island, México

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03959-9
• Publication Date: 2022-09-22T09:03:09Z
• Authors: Jennifer S. Trickey; Gustavo Cárdenas-...; Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho; Gregory S. Schorr; Brenda K. Rone; Eva Hidalgo-Pla; Ally Rice; Simone Baumann-Pi...
• Keywords: Marine life; Marine ecosystem; Biofouling

Abstract Widespread use of unregulated acoustic technologies in maritime industries raises concerns about effects on acoustically sensitive marine fauna worldwide. Anthropogenic noise can disrupt behavior and may cause short- to long-term disturbance with possible population-level consequences, particularly for animals a limited geographic range. Ultrasonic antifouling devices are commercially available, installed globally variety vessel types, marketed as an environmentally-friendly method biofouling control. Here we show that they be wildlife, seasonal operation these hull-mounted systems by tourist vessels the protected area Guadalupe Island, México resulted reduced presence potentially resident population Cuvier’s beaked whales ( Ziphius cavirostris ). Human activities rapidly altering soundscapes local global scales, findings highlight need identify key sources assess their impacts life effectively manage oceanic ecosystems.