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According to the UN Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP): Marine pollution is the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy to the marine environment resulting in deleterious effects such as: hazards to human health; hindrance of marine activities, including fishing; impairment of the quality for the use of seawater, and reduction of amenities. So technically - yes
Research off of Point Sur, California comparing sound levels between 1963-65 and 1994-2001 discovered: A 10 dB increase in noise levels = x 10 increase in noise in 33 years
This increase in noise was primarily due to human activities in the oceans [Wenz, 1968; Andrew et al., 2002]
SHIPPING
In general, older vessels produce more noise than newer ones and larger vessels produce more than smaller ones Lower frequency noises produced by shipping also travel further than higher frequency noises e.g. the noise from a supertanker (@ 6.8 Hz) could be detected 139 - 463 km away.
[Gordon and Moscrop (1996); Ross, (1976)]
SHIPPING
but even the noise from a small 70 hp outboard engine [142 dB; 400 Hz-4 kHz] could be detected 50 m away.
[Stewart et al., (1982)]
Shipping typically produces frequencies below 1 kHz - although frequencies above 1 kHz can be produced Species such as baleen whales may be most susceptible to these low frequency sounds.
Type of vessel 650cc Jetski Rigid inflatable 7m outboard motor boat Fishing boat Fishing trawler Tug pulling empty barge
Frequency (kHz) 0.8-50.0 6.3 0.63 0.25-1.0 0.1 0.037 1.0 5.0 1.0 5.0 0.63 0.43 0.06 0.008 0.007 0.007 0.033 0.008 0.041
Source level (dB re 1QPa) 75-125 152 156 151 158 166 164 145 170 161 159 169 180 187 190 185 181 181 172
Reference Evans and Nice, (1996) Malme et al., (1989) Malme et al., (1989) Greene, (1985) Malme et al., (1989) Buck and Chalfant, (1972) Miles et al., (1989) Miles et al., (1989) Malme et al., (1989) Buck and Chalfant, (1972); Ross, (1976); Thiele and dengaard, (1983) Buck and Chalfant, (1972); Ross, (1976); Thiele and dengaard, (1983)
Tug pulling loaded barge 34m (twin diesel engine) workboat Tanker (135m) Tanker (179m) Supertanker (266m) Supertanker (340m) Supertanker (337m) Containership (219m) Containership (274m) Freighter (135m)
Summary of sound frequencies produced by seismic surveys and their source level
[Greene & Moore (1995); Perry (1998)]
SEISMIC SURVEYS
The sounds produced by seismic surveys can be detected more 3000 miles from their source
[Nieukirk et al. (2004)]
Researchers trying to record cetaceans in the midAtlantic found that whale calls were frequently being smothered and masked by the high levels of continuous sound produced by seismic surveys
[Nieukirk et al. (2004)]
Sperm whales have been observed exhibiting a startle reaction 2km away from a seismic survey
[Stone (2003)]
SEISMIC SURVEYS
Seismic surveys have also been linked to whale stranding events: in 2002, two Cuviers beaked whales stranded on the Isla San Jose (Gulf of California) coincident with seismic surveys from the research vessel Maurice Ewing.
[Malakoff, (2002)]
It is possible that seismic surveys have caused cetacean strandings in other areas, such as the Galpagos Islands
[Palacios et al. (2004)]
But marine mammals arent the only marine life effected by seismic surveys
SEISMIC SURVEYS
A study by Norway's Institute of Marine Research showed that trawl catch rates of haddock and cod fell by 45-70% over a 2,000 square mile area - while seismic surveys were being conducted. Catch rates did not increase during 5 days surveyed after the air guns stopped. [Engas, et al. 1993] Another study by showed damage to fish ears by seismic surveys - beginning at 160 dB
[MacCauley et al. 2000]
Unusual numbers of giant squid were also found dead and stranded on beaches in large numbers at the same time seismic surveys were being conducted [MacKenzie, (2004)]
OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH
Oceanographers frequently use high intensity sound sources during their research -including seismic surveys However, one of the most infamous was the Acoustic Thermometry of the Ocean Climate (ATOC) project The ATOC project was designed to detect changes in oceanic temperatures using a high intensity, low frequency sound source. The project was initially to have two transmitters - Kauai, Hawaiian Islands - Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California.
After public protest - the California sound source was relocated to the Pioneer Seamount, outside of, but close to, the Monterey Bay Sanctuary area.
ATOC
To investigate the potential impacts of the ATOC sound source on cetaceans in 1991 a field test (209-219 db) was conducted on Heard Island, in the Antarctic. While the low frequency sound source was operating researchers monitored a 70km by 70km area of ocean: Although long-finned pilot whales (Macrorhynchus melas) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were acoustically detected nearly a quarter of the time when the sound source wasnt operating - there were no acoustic detections of these species at all when the sound system was on. [Bowles et al. (1994)]
ATOC
Despite the results of the Heard Island test, the ATOC project continued, albeit with a quieter (195 dB) source level than used in the Heard Bay test.
ATOC
These results were also echoed by researchers conducting aerial surveys in the Californian site: humpback whales, and sperm whales, where sighted significantly further away from the ATOC sound source when it was turned on [Calambokidis (1998)] But despite this ATOC was considered to have no short or long-term biologically significant effect This attitude was criticized in a US National Research Council report - the marine mammal research program associated
with the ATOC project was insufficient and had not adequately conducted research into whether there had indeed been short or longterm effects on marine mammals, or their biological significance
[National Research Council (2000)]
The ATOC project stopped in 1999 but the sound source was reused in 2002 - North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory Program (NPAL)
and other marine predators To prevent marine marine mammals or other predators from approaching fish farm sites, many companies have resorted to using Acoustic Harassment Devices (AHDs) or seal-scrammers -to scare away predators, or even cause pain
AHDs typically produced mid to high frequency sounds (1.8 kHz 103 kHz) with a peak source level of up to 193 dB [Lepper
et al. (2004) ]
There are several studies have documented displacement of cetaceans from their habitat by AHDs :
Olesiuk et al., (1996); Taylor et al., (1998); Johnston and Woodley, (1998); Morton and Symonds, (2002); Johnston, (2003).
PREDATOR DETERRENT DEVICES In western Scotland the scale of displacement of protected species has become an issue every sea loch contains a fish farm
Half of these fish farms used AHDs
[Quick et al. (2004)]
Its been calculated, based on potential exclusion areas around sites with AHDs [Olesiuk et al. (1996)] harbor porpoises would be excluded from 16km2 of coastal waters harbor porpoise abundance would be significantly reduced over an area of 1187 km2 [Shrimpton (2001)] BUT - AHDs have been shown to be ineffective as a antipredator device [Seplveda and Oliva (2005)]
DREDGING
Dredging operations can be conducted to:
-remove silt or sediment from the seabed
-to keep shipping routes clear; -to quarry marine gravel/sand/and materials (for construction or roads) -or as a means of fishing e.g. for clams and other shellfish.
Several studies have demonstrated that the noise produced by dredging operations can impact marine life: e.g.1 - gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were displaced for several years from the Laguna Guerro Neggro in Baja, California [Bryant et al. (1984)] e.g.2 - bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) were displaced from an area (moving over 2km away) when sounds of dredging were played back to them
[Richardson et al. (1985a, 1985b, 1990); Wartzok et al. (1989)]
MILITARY ACTIVITIES
Of all the sources of marine noise, the potential of military-related noise, in particular military active sonar, is probably the most contentious and controversial. Noise producing military activities include:
military ship noise (large and small vessels) military Aircraft minesweeping (high frequency active sonar) inter-submarine communication ship board ordinance missile & torpedo tests ship structural tests (ship shock) marine minefields submarine detection (mid and low frequency active sonar) - vessel-based systems - sonobouys However the impacts of mid-frequency (c. 3-7 kHz) active sonar on
OTHER EVENTS
Other whale strandings and deaths associated with active sonar: 1985 - The Canary Islands 1986 - The Canary Islands 1989 - The Canary Islands 1996 Greece 1998 US Virgin Islands 1999 US Virgin Islands 2000 Madeira, Spain 2002 - The Canary Islands 2003 Washington State, US
NB: not just beaked whales, also minke whales, Kogia spp. Etc
[Simmonds & Lopez-Jurado (1991); Frantzis (1998); Frantzis & Cebrian (1999); Mead (2000); Frantzis ( 2004); Taylor et al. (2004)]
RECENT STRANDINGS
In Taiwan (Feb. 24 Mar. 10 2004 ), a variety of cetacean strandings including pilot whales and a ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, coincided with a joint US/Philippine military exercise, to the south of the island [Wang and Yang (2004)] Researchers managed to autopsy one of the beaked whales and discovered revealed many unusual injuries to structures that are associated with, or related to acoustics or diving. When this information was presented to the International Whaling Commission (in 2004) it was concluded that: The lesions/trauma suggest that this beaked whale died from acoustic or blast trauma that may have been caused by exposure to naval activities south of Taiwan.
[International Whaling Commission, (2004), p. 8]
RECENT STRANDINGS
Also, in July 2004 another unusual stranding of four Cuviers beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) occurred in the Canary Islands. [Espinosa et al. ( 2005)] There have been at least four mass strandings of beaked whales that have been associated with military exercises conducted near the Canary Islands (1985, 1986, 1987 and 2002). [Taylor et al. (2004)] The 2004 mass stranding event coincided with the naval exercise Majestic Eagle - being conducted 100 km to the north of the islands in the week prior to the beaked whale carcasses being discovered.
[Espinosa et al. ( 2005)]
RECENT STRANDINGS
A non-beaked whale event occurred at 7:30am on July 3rd 2004. 200 melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) normally deep water animals, were found in shallow water in Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. Coincident with this stranding, the US navy was conducting an active sonar tracking exercise 20 miles northwest of Kauai Initially the US Navy denied that there was a link between the stranding and their activities. Later they admitted that they had used sonar specifically between 6:45 and 7:10am, just prior to the stranding event. [Kaufman (2004)]
JAPAN STRANDINGS
On 14th April 2004 a presentation was given at an international beaked whale workshop and represented at the International Whaling Commission Another series of beaked whale strandings had been discovered in Japan [Brownell et al. (2004)] The sites of these strandings were adjacent to a US naval base Questions were asked why didnt the US Navy present this information as they must have known about it?
This has led to noise guidelines that have been used by the US and UK governments that considered sound sources up to 180dB to be safe for cetaceans
i.e. Levels of sound 10 100 times quieter that current safety guidelines for less than 30 seconds resulted in beaked whale strandings and death! Certain NOAA officials are planning to increase noise exposure limit guidelines from 180dB to 200-220 dB (10,000 1 million times louder!)
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION In 2004 the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission discussed the noise and cetacean issue including the Bahamas, Canaries and Japan strandings & the Taiwan incident Over 200 of the worlds whale biologists stated: In conclusion, the Committee agrees that there is
now compelling evidence implicating military sonar as a direct impact on beaked whales in particular. (p44, IWC 2004)
Other International bodies have also recently echoed concerns about noise.
EUROPEAN UNION Resolution 2004
The European Parliament Calls on the Commission Calls and the Member States to set up a Multinational Task Force to develop international agreements regulating noise levels in the worlds oceans, with a view to oceans, regulating and limiting the adverse impact of anthropogenic sonars on marine mammals and fish fish.
ACCOBAMS (2004) Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black and Mediterranean Seas
charges the Scientific Committee to develop a common set of guidelines on conducting activities known to produce underwater sound with the potential to cause adverse effects on cetaceans (including military sonar) Also calls for the use of extreme caution in conducting such activities in the Mediterranean and Black Seas
IUCN (World Conservation Union) Congress (2004) Resolution CGR3.RES053-REV1 Undersea Noise Pollution
Monitor for and investigate the impacts on marine species Consider how to limit the use of powerful noise sources until their short-term and long-term effects are better understood U.S. submitted a statement in writing doesnt recognize that the issue is a problem
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Shrimpton J.H. 2001. The impacts of fish-farming on the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, Tobermory, Mull. Stewart, B.S., Evans, W.E. and Awbrey, F.T. 1982. Effects of man-made waterborne noise on the behaviour of Belukha whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Hubbs Sea World Research Institute Report 82-145. Unpublished report to the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Jeneau, Alaska. Taylor, B., Barlow, J., Pitman, R., Ballance, L., Klinger, T., DeMaster, D., Hildebrand, J., Urban, J., Palacios, D. and Mead, J. G. 2004. A call for research to assess risk of acoustic impact on beaked whale populations. Paper presented to the Scientific Committee at the 56th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, 29 June10 July 2004, Sorrento, Italy. SC46/E36. Taylor, G., Telfer, T., Beveridge, M. and Muir, J. 1998. Collection and treatment of waste chemotherapeutants and the use of enclosed-cage systems in salmon aquaculture. Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Stirling. Turnpenny, A. W. H., Thatcher, K. P. and Nedwell, J. R. 1994. The effects on fish and other marine animals of highlevel underwater sound. Report prepared for UK Defense Research Agency. (FRRI 27/94). Wang, J.Y. and Yang, S.-C. 2004. Unusual cetacean stranding events in Chinese waters in early 2004 and the gross examination of a ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens Paper presented to the Scientific Committee at the 56th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, 29 June10 July 2004, Sorrento, Italy. SC56/E38. Wartzok, D., Watkins, W.A., Wursig, B. and Malme, C.I. 1989. Movements and behaviors of bowhead whales in response to repeated exposures to noises associated with industrial activities in the Beaufort Sea. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Wenz, G.M. 1969. Low-frequency deep-water ambient noise along the Pacific Coast of the United States. U.S. Navy Journal of Underwater Acoustics 19: 423-444.
Whale Vocalisations
V o c a l i s a t i o n F r e q u e n c i e s ( H z ) S o u r c e :
Human Humpback whale Minke whale Fin whale Blue whale 10 100 1000 10000 Source: NOAA, 2000.
For the EIS, the Navy had commissioned a study to look at the behavior of whales when exposed to LFA sonar Gray, fin and humpback whales were exposed to LFA. The level of sound received by these animals was up to 155dB (more often closer to 120 dB) The scientists noted significant changes in behavior such as: -gray whales altering migration routes to go around the noise, -humpbacks increasing song length and -fins changing foraging behavior The navy considered these changes to be minor and of no consequence
The actual source level of LFA Sonar is at least 215dB - Behavioral changes had been noted at 120dB
The navy considered that from these results LFA would be safe for whales at a received level up to 180dB 180dB is 1,000,000 times louder that 120dB! The Navy said it will use onboard observers and fishfinding technology to make sure no animals come within 1.5 miles of an active sonar deployment. HOWEVER during tests near Alaska, the Navy calculated that sound levels of 140 dB (100 x louder than 120dB) were heard 300 miles from the source According to the Navy - LFAS sounds at 120 dB would be received 1,111 km away from the deploying vessel.
In summary, the judge ruled that the NMFS had acted improperly in granting the US Navy a take permit The judge also noted that LFA sonar has the potential to seriously impact whales and dolphins (and other species, e.g. turtles) A limited injunction was granted restricting the use of the sonar system Because the Navy declared that the sonar system was essential to detect new diesel-powered submarines and affected the Navys readiness for war
ITS NOT JUST MARINE MAMMALS A study commissioned by the British Defense Research Agency reported that fish exposed to sounds of the same frequency and duration of the LFAS signal (at levels above 160 dB) suffered internal injuries, eye hemorrhaging, auditory damage and mortality [Turnpenny et al. 1994] 57% of brown trout died after exposure to levels above 170 dB [Turnpenny et al. 1994] The US navy was aware of this study but have willfully ignored the information