How Might We Assess and Manage the Effects of Underwater Noise on Populations of Marine Animals?

Mark L Tasker

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2981-8_141

How Might We Assess and Manage the Effects of Underwater Noise on Populations of Marine Animals?

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016:875:1139-44. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2981-8_141.

Author

Mark L Tasker¹

Affiliation

¹ Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Inverdee House, Baxter Street, Aberdeen, AB11 9QA, UK. mark.tasker@jncc.gov.uk.

PMID: 26611078
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2981-8_141

Abstract

The European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to achieve good environmental status (GES) in European seas by 2020. One of the features of GES is that underwater sound should not adversely affect the marine environment. Direct injury of marine life may occur, but a more pervasive effect is likely to be through the cumulative indirect effects on behavior. Assessing the significance of these effects on an ecosystem scale is difficult. If subsequent management of these effects is required, complex and challenging international decisions will be required.

Keywords: Cumulative impact; Harbor porpoise; Management.

MeSH terms

Animals
Aquatic Organisms / physiology*
Noise*
Social Control, Formal
Water*

Substances

Water