Small reductions in cargo vessel speed substantially reduce noise impacts to marine mammals

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf2987
• Publication Date: 2023-06-21T18:05:02Z
• Authors: Charlotte R. Findlay; Laia Rojano-Doñate; Jakob Tougaard; Mark P. Johnson; Peter Teglberg Ma...
• Keywords: Cumulative effects; Marine habitats

Global reductions in the underwater radiated noise levels from cargo vessels are needed to reduce increasing cumulative impacts marine wildlife. We use a vessel exposure simulation model examine how reducing source through slowdowns and technological modifications can lessen on mammals. show that area exposed ship reduces markedly with moderate source-level be readily achieved small speed. Moreover, all mammals despite longer time slower takes pass an animal. conclude global fleet reduced immediately by slowdowns. This solution requires no modification ships is scalable local speed sensitive areas ocean basins. Speed supplemented routing away critical habitats noise.