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Arctic Whales Fall Silent as Ships Roar Through Sound
25 Nov
Summary
- Ship noise disrupts marine life's ability to communicate and navigate.
- New policies will push for quieter ship designs at the IMO Assembly.
- Arctic narwhals are vulnerable to ship noise even at 20km distances.
Underwater radiated noise from ships is a growing concern for marine life, as evidenced by narwhals in Canada's Eclipse Sound falling silent when vessels approach. This noise pollution disrupts essential behaviors like finding food, communicating, and avoiding predators.
A High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean, comprising 37 countries, will advocate at the upcoming International Maritime Organization Assembly for new policies mandating quieter ship designs. This initiative aims to reduce the significant acoustic disruption faced by species such as orcas off Vancouver and North Atlantic right whales.
While voluntary measures like rerouting and slowdowns have shown success, the industry recognizes that designing intrinsically quieter ships is the long-term solution. Innovations in propeller design, hull modifications, and engine isolation can significantly mitigate noise, protecting the acoustic environments crucial for marine ecosystems.
