Ship Noise Disrupts Communication Between Fish

According to a recent study, noise from ships is preventing Atlantic cod and haddock from communicating properly with one another. Disrupted communication among these fish is highly likely to adversely affect behaviors essential to their lives, including finding food, mating and socializing.

During the cod spawning season, the researchers monitored and recorded noise at three sites primarily inhabited by Atlantic cod and haddock.

According to Jenny Stanley, a scientist with the National Marine Sanctuaries and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, changes in ambient sound pressure levels and the range of fish vocalizations suggest that large-vessel activity was responsible for the dramatic changes in cod sounds.

Ambient noise includes all sounds made as other animals swim, reproduce, catch prey and engage in social activity.

Stanley said, “Various human activities, such as global marine shipping, construction, sonar and recreational boating, have increased human-made sounds in certain marine areas. This could have a major impact on the populations of particular species.” However, the researchers said it remains unclear exactly how many species of marine life are affected by ocean noise.

In other words, prolonged exposure to ambient noise from human activity interferes with fish communication. Fish use their own signals to communicate with their peers or detect predators’ movements, but noise prevents them from hearing those signals properly, ultimately putting their survival at risk.