TY - JOUR

T1 - Mapping widespread and increasing underwater noise pollution from acoustic deterrent devices

AU - Findlay, Charlotte

AU - Ripple, Hayden

AU - Coomber, Frazer

AU - Froud, Kerry

AU - Harris, Olivia

AU - van Geel, Ninka

AU - Calderan, Susannah

AU - Benjamins, S

AU - Risch, Denise

AU - Wilson, Ben

PY - 2018/10/1

Y1 - 2018/10/1

N2 - Acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) are used in attempts to mitigate pinniped depredation on aquaculture sites through the emission of loud and pervasive noise. This study quantified spatio-temporal changes in underwater ADD noise detections along western Scotland over 11 years. Acoustic point data (‘listening events’) collected during cetacean line-transect surveys were used to map ADD presence between 2006 and 2016. A total of 19,601 listening events occurred along the Scottish west coast, and ADD presence was recorded during 1371 listening events. Results indicated a steady increase in ADD detections from 2006 (0.05%) to 2016 (6.8%), with the highest number of detections in 2013 (12.6%), as well as substantial geographic expansion. This study demonstrates that ADDs are a significant and chronic source of underwater noise on the Scottish west coast with potential adverse impacts on target (pinniped) and non-target (e.g. cetaceans) species, which requires further study and improved monitoring and regulatory strategies.

AB - Acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) are used in attempts to mitigate pinniped depredation on aquaculture sites through the emission of loud and pervasive noise. This study quantified spatio-temporal changes in underwater ADD noise detections along western Scotland over 11 years. Acoustic point data (‘listening events’) collected during cetacean line-transect surveys were used to map ADD presence between 2006 and 2016. A total of 19,601 listening events occurred along the Scottish west coast, and ADD presence was recorded during 1371 listening events. Results indicated a steady increase in ADD detections from 2006 (0.05%) to 2016 (6.8%), with the highest number of detections in 2013 (12.6%), as well as substantial geographic expansion. This study demonstrates that ADDs are a significant and chronic source of underwater noise on the Scottish west coast with potential adverse impacts on target (pinniped) and non-target (e.g. cetaceans) species, which requires further study and improved monitoring and regulatory strategies.

U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.042

DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.042

M3 - Article

VL - 135

SP - 1042

EP - 1050

JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin

JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin

SN - 0025-326X

ER -