A5031521100- Underwater Acoustics Research
- Marine animal studies overview
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Marine and fisheries research
- Underwater Vehicles and Communication Systems
- Seismic Waves and Analysis
- Offshore Engineering and Technologies
- Seismic Imaging and Inversion Techniques
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Coastal and Marine Dynamics
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses
- Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes
- Maritime Navigation and Safety
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Music and Audio Processing
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Speech and Audio Processing
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
2015-2024
University of East Anglia
2022
Scottish Government
2020
Marine Scotland
2020
Scottish Association For Marine Science
2020
University of Bath
2012-2015
Syracuse University
2014
Anthropogenic underwater noise is now recognized as a world-wide problem, and recent studies have shown broad range of negative effects in variety taxa. Underwater from shipping increasingly significant pervasive pollutant with the potential to impact marine ecosystems on global scale. We reviewed six regional case examples research management activities relating ocean taxonomic groups, locations, approaches. However, no projects could ever cover all taxa, sites sources, brief bibliometric...
Summary Sound waves in water have both a pressure and particle‐motion component, yet few studies of underwater acoustic ecology measured the component sound. While mammal hearing is based on detection sound pressure, fish invertebrates (i.e. most aquatic animals) primarily sense using particle motion. Particle motion can be calculated indirectly from measurements under certain conditions, but these conditions are rarely met shelf‐sea shallow‐water habitats that organisms inhabit. Direct been...
The potential impacts of underwater noise on marine mammals are widely recognised, but uncertainty over variability in baseline levels often constrains efforts to manage these impacts. This paper characterises natural and anthropogenic contributors at two sites the Moray Firth Special Area Conservation, an important mammal habitat that may be exposed increased shipping activity from proposed offshore energy developments. We aimed establish a pre-development baseline, develop ship monitoring...
Abstract Anthropogenic noise across the world's oceans threatens ability of vocalizing marine species to communicate. Some vocalize at key life stages or whilst foraging, and disruption acoustic habitat these times could lead adverse consequences population level. To investigate risk impacts, we investigated effect vessel on communication space Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni , an endangered which vocalizes low frequencies, bigeye Pempheris adspersa a nocturnal fish uses contact calls...
Noise from shipping activity in North Atlantic coastal waters has been steadily increasing and is an area of growing conservation concern, as it the potential to disrupt behaviour marine organisms. This study examines impacts ship noise on bottom foraging humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) western . Data were collected 10 using non-invasive archival tags that simultaneously recorded underwater movements acoustic environment at whale. Using mixed models, we assess effects seven...
Underwater noise from human activities appears to be rising, with ramifications for acoustically sensitive marine organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. Policymakers are beginning address risk ecological impact, but constrained by a lack data on current historic levels. Here, we present first nationally coordinated effort quantify underwater levels, in support UK policy objectives under EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Field measurements were made during 2013-2014 at...
Assessment of underwater noise is increasingly required by regulators development projects in marine and freshwater habitats, pollution can be a constraining factor the consenting process. Noise levels arising from proposed activity are modelled potential impact on species interest within affected area then evaluated. Although there considerable uncertainty relationship between impacts aquatic species, science underlying modelling well understood. Nevertheless, many environmental assessments...
Coral reefs are increasingly degraded by climate-induced bleaching and storm damage. Reef recovery relies on recruitment of young fishes for the replenishment functionally important taxa. Acoustic cues guide orientation, habitat selection, settlement many fishes, but these processes may be impaired if degradation alters reef soundscapes. Here, we report spatiotemporally matched evidence soundscapes altered from recordings taken before after recent severe damage Australia's Great Barrier...
Assessments of the impact offshore energy developments are constrained because it is not known whether fine-scale behavioural responses to noise lead broader-scale displacement protected small cetaceans. We used passive acoustic monitoring and digital aerial surveys study changes in occurrence harbour porpoises across a 2000 km 2 area during commercial two-dimensional seismic survey North Sea. Acoustic visual data provided evidence group airgun from 470 cu inch array over ranges 5–10 km, at...
This paper presents the empirical probability density of power spectral as a tool to assess field performance passive acoustic monitoring systems and statistical distribution underwater noise levels across frequency spectrum. Using example datasets, it is shown that this method can reveal limitations such persistent tonal components insufficient dynamic range, which may be undetected by conventional techniques. The then combined with averages percentiles, illustrates how underlying level...
Underwater noise pollution is becoming globally recognised as a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and the resources they provide. The effects of extend from blue whales zooplankton, impacting threatened species affecting key industries including fisheries ecotourism. In response, policymakers in some jurisdictions have made substantive high-level commitments address pollution, however implementation reduction measures (noise abatement) remains limited. To support development effective...
Underwater noise pollution from shipping is globally pervasive and has a range of adverse impacts on species which depend sound, including marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, many invertebrates. International bodies United Nations agencies, the Arctic Council, European Union are beginning to address issue at policy level, but better evidence needed map levels underwater potential benefits management measures such as ship-quieting regulations. Crucially, corroboration maps with field...
Estimating impacts of offshore windfarm construction on marine mammals requires data displacement in relation to different noise levels and sources. Using echolocation detectors recorders, we investigated harbour porpoise behavioural responses piling during the 10-month foundation installation a North Sea windfarm. Current UK guidance assumes total within 26 km pile driving. By contrast, recorded 50% probability response 7.4 (95% CI = 5.7-9.4) at first location piled, decreasing 1.3 0.2-2.8)...
Rising underwater noise levels from shipping have raised concerns regarding chronic impacts to marine fauna. However, there is a lack of consensus over how average local for environmental impact assessment. This paper addresses this issue using 110 days continuous data recorded in the Strait Georgia, Canada. Probability densities ∼107 1-s samples selected 1/3 octave bands were approximately stationary across one-month subsamples. Median and mode varied with averaging time. Mean sound...
Abstract Many countries have made statutory commitments to ensure that underwater noise pollution is at levels which do not harm marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, coordinated action manage cumulative lacking, despite broad recognition of the risks ecosystem health. We attribute this impasse a lack quantitative management targets—or “noise budgets”—which regulatory decision‐makers can work toward, and propose framework risk‐based exposure indicators make such targets possible. These employ...
Offshore windfarm developments are expanding, requiring assessment and mitigation of impacts on protected species. Typically, assessments marine mammals have focused pile-driving, as intense impulsive noise elicits adverse behavioral responses. However, other construction activities such jacket turbine installation also change acoustic habitats through increased vessel activity. To date, the contribution construction-related activity in shaping mammal responses at sites has been overlooked...
Underwater radiated noise from shipping is globally pervasive and can cause deleterious effects on marine life, ranging behavioural responses to physiological effects. Acoustic modelling makes it possible map this over large areas long timescales, test mitigation scenarios such as ship speed reduction or spatial restrictions. However, maps must be validated against measurements ensure confidence in their predictions. This study carried out a multi-site validation of the monthly annual for...
While it is clear that underwater noise pollution from commercial shipping has grown in recent decades, far at what rate increasing different parts of the global ocean, nor even current levels are or how they distributed. These knowledge gaps must be addressed if policymakers to understand threat poses marine ecosystems and reduce this an effective efficient way. Here, we present work commissioned by UK Government map Northeast Atlantic over a period six years (2018-2023). maps reveal...
Underwater noise pollution poses a global threat to marine life and is growing concern for policymakers environmental managers. Evidence mounting of noise-induced habitat loss, heightened physiological stress, masking biologically important sound (e.g. communication, predator/prey detection), auditory injury, in extreme cases, direct or indirect mortality (Popper et al., 2014; Southall 2007). Initial studies focused on charismatic megafauna (particularly mammals), but recent years effects...