Ears Open to Human Noise as Marine Mammals Hear It

ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 18, 2004 (ENS) - Biologists, acousticians, maritime engineers, vessel owners and operators, and representatives of government agencies today opened the first International Symposium on Shipping Noise and Marine Mammals at the Sheraton National Hotel.

Noise generated by humans can interfere with the ability of marine animals to hear important natural signals. The two day meeting is intended as an introduction to the subject and panel discussions of necessary actions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio (NOAA) Fisheries Acoustics Program is convening the symposium to consider emerging issues. Management strategies for marine noise are changing as policymakers consider noise exposure guidelines in light of existing airborne noise regulations.

Another developing issue is the potential treatment of marine noise as a pollutant under the Law of the Sea and the Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Meanwhile, ocean noise levels continue to rise in some areas and the effects of noise on ocean ecosystems remain largely unknown, NOAA says.

Commercial shipping vessels are believed to produce much of human generated noise energy in the oceans. But the effects have not yet been considered in a broad sense, NOAA says. The purpose of this symposium is to better understand this issue and forge new partnerships by which to handle it in the future.

The symposium is part of the NOAA Fisheries emphasis this year on marine mammals and human noise. NOAA experts are taking the information on the road for a series of lectures from now through November.

NOAA Fisheries Acoustics Program and other scientific experts in marine mammals and human noise are hosting the programs at public aquariums and marine laboratories around the country, to help increase public knowledge about human noise and marine mammals. The lecture series, Marine Animals and Human Noise, started in March in Florida, and will continue through November 2004.

“I am very excited about this series of informative programs,” said Bill Hogarth, the assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “There is a lot of interest in the affect of human noises on whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries has some of the world’s leading experts looking at this issue.”

Participating organizations include; the Marine Mammal Commission, Mote Marine Laboratory, New England Aquarium, Long Marine Laboratory associated with the University of California, Santa Cruz, Dolphin Quest Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Patuxent Research Refuge, National Aquarium of Washington, DC, Seattle Aquarium, National Aquarium of Baltimore, Maryland, Shedd Aquarium, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

The objective of this unique series is to present current scientific information about human sources and uses of sound in marine environments, the physics of sound and hearing, and biological and behavioral factors that relate to noise impacts. Scientists hope that the educational lecture series will facilitate constructive discussions among concerned parties.

“While we continue to work toward understanding some of these complex issues, much has been learned recently about the impact of noise on marine life,” Hogarth said. “It is very important to convey this information to the public. Our ultimate goal is to use a balanced approach to share the ocean with marine life, and to conserve and protect these incredible creatures for many years to come.”

The fourth and fifth lectures are being held in Hawaii on June 5 and 7. For a complete list of lecture dates and venues, visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/acoustics/lecture.htm