Experts are saying that the noises that creatures like whales and dolphins use to communicate are being drowned out by man-made noises, such as those from commercial shipping and military sonar. The result is that some animals become disoriented, and they may find it difficult to find food and/or mates. Mark Simmonds from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society refers to it as the cocktail party effect – where everyone has to speak louder and louder to make themselves heard, until people can’t hear each other any more. He also argues that in some cases of recent strandings, the mammals involved had tissue damage consistent with them having ascended too quickly, perhaps because they were scared by military sonar or seismic testing. Other research suggests that rising carbon dioxide levels leading to increased acidity may be allowing sound to travel further through sea water, adding to the background noise.
So, what can be done? Suggestions include rerouting shipping, cutting speed and banning use of sonar around the habitats of endangered animals.
As divers, perhaps we all need to switch to rebreathers!
More here from the BBC.
