Detrimental effects of underwater noise

Abstract

Anthropogenic noise can molest, injure or even lead to the death of marine mammals. Therefore, activities in the Antarctic that lead to the emission of underwater noise are often categorised to have at least a minor or temporary impact on marine mammal species or their populations. Two panels of experts with varying backgrounds in behavioural response studies or auditory injury for a range of marine mammal species were invited to participate in an Expert Elicitation (EE) process. Short studies were provided to the experts to assist with summarising the information on the noise sources, Antarctic marine mammal species abundances and distributions, and a review of the current state of knowledge of behavioural responses of marine mammals to anthropogenic noise. The result are new developed thresholds to support improved impact assessments for molest and injury following exposure to specific noise stressors.