Mapping widespread and increasing underwater noise pollution from acoustic deterrent devices

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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  • Charlotte Findlay
    Scottish Association for Marine Science
  • Hayden Ripple
    Scottish Association for Marine Science
  • Frazer Coomber
    Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
  • Kerry Froud
    Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
  • Olivia Harris
    Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
  • Ninka van Geel
    Scottish Association for Marine ScienceHebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
  • Susannah Calderan
    Scottish Association for Marine ScienceHebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
  • S Benjamins
    Scottish Association for Marine Science
  • Denise Risch
    Scottish Association for Marine Science
  • Ben Wilson
    Scottish Association for Marine Science
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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1042-1050
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume135
Early online date23 Aug 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2018
Externally publishedYes
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